Alexander Volkov (fighter)

Alexander Yevgenyevich Volkov (Александр Евгеньевич Волков; born October 24, 1988) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Volkov previously competed for the M-1 Global promotion, as well as Bellator MMA. He is a former heavyweight champion in both promotions. As of July 2, 2024, he is #3 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

M-1 Global
In 2008 Volkov signed with M-1 Global. His professional MMA debut came in April 2009 when he defeated Nikolay Pleshakov by TKO in just 80 seconds. Volkov followed this up a month later with another TKO victory, this time against Adam Alikhanov in just 20 seconds. A further month later, Volkov suffered his first professional loss at the hands of Akhmed Sultanov. Midway through the first round, Volkov was forced to tap to an armbar. Volkov then went on a two-fight win streak, both via TKO.

In December 2009, after just eight months as a professional fighter, Volkov faced Ibragim Magomedov at M-1 Challenge 20 - 2009 Finals. Coming in as an underdog, his team simply wanted him to make it through all three rounds, but Volkov exceeded expectations by winning via unanimous decision. Volkov was awarded an M-1 Global ring "as a reward for exceptional performance".

Volkov faced Denis Smoldarev on February 19, 2016, M-1 Challenge 64 for the vacant M-1 Global Heavyweight title, he won the fight via submission (triangle choke).

Volkov faced former Bellator light heavyweight champion Attila Végh on June 16, 2016, at M-1 Challenge 68. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This and other fights of Alexander Volkov in the M-1 league can be viewed in the All fights of Alexander Volkov in M-1 Global of the M-1 Global TV channel.

M-1 Eastern European Tournament
Within his first year of professional competition, Volkov was competing in the M-1 Eastern European tournament, taking victories in the opening round and the semi-final. Volkov progressed to the M-1 Selection 2010 - Eastern Europe Finals, where a win would put him in line to challenge for the M-1 Global Heavyweight title at the 2010 M-1 Challenge Season events. To reach the championship fight, Volkov first had to take on Maxim Grishin to become the Eastern Europe champion. Unfortunately for Volkov, he fell prey to a rear-naked choke early in the opening round and was eliminated.

Post M-1 Eastern European Tournament
Less than a month later, Volkov took his first fight outside of M-1 in nearly a year. His opponent was the debuting Eldar Yagudin, who he defeated inside the opening round by TKO (punches).

On August 5, 2011, as part of League-70 Russia vs Brazil, held in Sochi, Russia, Alexander Volkov defeated the undefeated at that time Bulgarian Nedyalko Karadzhov via TKO in the opening round.

Bellator MMA
In September 2012, it was announced that Volkov would compete for Bellator Fighting Championships. He made his U.S. debut in the Bellator season seven heavyweight tournament. In the opening, quarter-final round he faced Brett Rogers at Bellator 75. Volkov dominated the fight by making the most of his reach advantage. Volkov won via unanimous decision. In the semifinals at Bellator 80, he faced Vinicius Queiroz and won via TKO in the second round. On December 14, Volkov fought Richard Hale in a 5 round fight for Bellator Season 7 Heavyweight Tournament Final and Bellator Heavyweight Championship. Volkov won via unanimous decision.

In his first title defense, Volkov faced Vitaly Minakov in the co-main event at Bellator 108 on November 15, 2013. He lost the bout and his title via TKO in the first round.

Volkov faced Mark Holata on March 7, 2014, at Bellator 111 in Heavyweight Tournament. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. Volkov faced Mighty Mo in the semifinals at Bellator 116 on April 11, 2014. He won the fight via spectacular knockout in the first round.

Volkov faced Blagoy Ivanov in the finals on May 17, 2014, at Bellator 120. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Nearly a year since his last fight for the promotion, Volkov faced Tony Johnson at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015. He lost the fight via split decision.

Volkov faced Cheick Kongo at Bellator 139 on June 26, 2015. He lost the fight via unanimous decision marking his second consecutive loss being cut by the Bellator MMA.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
In September 2016, it was announced that Volkov has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He made his debut against Timothy Johnson on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 99. Volkov was awarded a controversial split decision victory. 12 out of 12 media scores gave the bout to Johnson.

Volkov faced Roy Nelson on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Volkov faced Stefan Struve on September 2, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve. He won the bout via TKO in the third round. The win also earned Volkov his first Fight of the Night bonus award.

Volkov faced Fabrício Werdum on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127. He won the back-and-forth fight via knockout in the fourth round. The win also earned Volkov his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Volkov faced Derrick Lewis on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229. Volkov dominated the fight, hurting Lewis multiple times, but ultimately lost the fight via knockout late in round three.

Volkov was expected to face Alistair Overeem on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149. However, on April 3, 2019, it was reported Volkov pulled out from the fight for undisclosed reason.

Volkov was scheduled to face Junior Dos Santos on November 9, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 21. However, dos Santos was forced to pull out from the event due to contracting a serious bacterial infection, and he was replaced by Greg Hardy. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Volkov faced Curtis Blaydes on June 20, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov. Volkov lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Volkov faced Walt Harris on October 24, 2020 at UFC 254. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Volkov faced Alistair Overeem on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Volkov faced Ciryl Gane on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Volkov faced Marcin Tybura on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Volkov faced Tom Aspinall on March 19, 2022,  at  UFC Fight Night 204. Volkov lost the fight via straight armbar submission in round one.

Volkov faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Volkov faced Alexander Romanov on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Volkov faced Tai Tuivasa on September 10, 2023, at UFC 293. He won the fight with Ezekiel Choke in the second round. With this win, Volkov became the second person in UFC history to finish a fight with an Ezekiel Choke.

Volkov faced Sergei Pavlovich on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Volkov is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane in a rematch on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.

Fighting style
Volkov is primarily a standup striker. He utilizes his considerable height, long reach, and powerful kicks to deliver accurate strikes from a distance. In particular, he is known for his patient and technical pugilism as well as his punishing body kicks, which he utilized at UFC 254 in his knockout victory against Walt Harris.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Bellator Fighting Championships
 * Bellator Heavyweight World Championship (One time)
 * Bellator Season Ten Heavyweight Tournament Championship
 * Bellator Season Seven Heavyweight Tournament Championship
 * M-1 Global
 * M-1 Global Heavyweight Championship (One time)
 * One successful title defence
 * M-1 Eastern European Tournament Runner-Up
 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Stefan Struve
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Fabrício Werdum and Alistair Overeem
 * Third most significant strikes landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (1099)
 * Fifth most total strikes landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (1356)