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Alexander Volkov is eyeing a shot at the gold after a dominant performance against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328. Over three rounds, Volkov executed a smart game plan, picking apart Cortes-Acosta from a distance and effectively neutralizing his powerful boxing combinations.
Utilizing body and leg kicks, along with his sharp lead jab, Volkov consistently found his mark, while Cortes-Acosta struggled to land his best shots throughout the bout. At the final bell, the judges scored the fight 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, awarding Volkov a unanimous decision victory.
“I want to say something very important right now – it’s a very important holiday in my country,” Volkov stated after the fight. “It’s Victory Day in World War II. It’s a great honor for me to fight today and to win. I know you don’t like heavyweight fights that don’t end in a knockout, but Waldo is a tough son of a gun. He’s very good. He posed a big danger. And now seriously – Ciryl Gane, I’ve beaten him before, the judges robbed me. Alex Pereira is not a heavyweight. I should be fighting for this title. Give me a championship fight, no matter who it’s against,” he added.
While he didn't secure the definitive finish he likely sought, Volkov demonstrated that he remains a benchmark for the heavyweight elite, snapping Cortes-Acosta's three-fight winning streak. Volkov now boasts six victories in his last seven outings, with his sole loss coming from a controversial split decision against Ciryl Gane in 2024.
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