Alexander Volkov stands for something better after being linked to the #6-ranked competition in the division.
With Joe Rogan who recently expressed concern about the depth of the heavyweight division, there are no whole series of options for the best contenders.
The weight class still has some probably the biggest fight of the year, where Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is a constant conversation point.
Although the will of Derrick Lewis have recently been booked, only three of the top 11 of the division are currently coordinated.
With that in mind, 'Drago' hopes that patience will bear fruit at the moment after reports that he was the target of a fight with Jilton Almeida.
Exclusivo: Jiltton 'Malhadinho' Almeida x Alexander Volkov Esta Sendo Trebalhado Para Ocorrer EM 14 de Junho, UFC Atlanta
– Léo Guimaraes (@leoguimaraesmma) April 1, 2025
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Alexander Volkov says he is not going to fight Jilton Almeida because he doesn't see the point
On paper, Alexander Volkov vs Jilton Almeida is a heavyweight collision that is now quite a bit useful.
The Russian comes from a narrow defeat against Ciryl Gane on UFC 310 who ended his four-fighter win streak that immediately placed him back in the title photo.
Almeida, on the other hand, stopped the #7-ranged competitor Serghei Spivac on UFC 311 to produce back-to-back victories after his first loss in the Octagon.
The point that is worth remembering for extra context is that many believed that Volkov deserved to get his hand against Gane in December, including Dana White.
That is why you would expect something big to be drawn up for the Russian, even after he had suffered a loss and clear, that's what he waited for when he came across the rumors about him in a recent video.
“Anyway, a fight was announced about my fight with Almeida, that, it was not officially announced, but there were rumors that the fight was in the making. Until now I have not intended to fight Almeida in July, just so that you know.
“Why? Because I don't feel like fighting the 6th ranked hunter. Whoever sees the point, tell me why. It's just a fight because of a fight. Let's wait for a more interesting offer.”
Alexander Volkov responds to rumors about a fight between him and Jilton Almeida in the making:
“I don't intend to fight Almeida in July. Why? Because I don't feel like fighting the 6th ranked hunter …
Let's wait for a more interesting offer. “
… pic.twitter.com/jbgqd56cddd
– Championship Rounds (@champrds) 3 April 2025
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What else could be for Alexander Volkov?
It was difficult for new contenders to break into the top 10 of the heavyweight division for some time, which means that we have already seen many of the contenders opposite each other.
This applies to Alexander Volkov, who has already had to deal with Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, Tai Tuivasa, Curtis Blaydes and Marcin Tybura.
Given that Volkov is not so interested in combating Almeida, with a Gane or Pavlovich Rematch apparently apparently unlikely, it runs back with Blaydes as soon as he makes his delayed return, perhaps the only feasible option.
Almeida may not be a fight that wants to take 'drago', but it might be his only choice if he wants to fight again in the coming months.
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