What Should Be Next for Alexander Volkov After UFC 321?

What Should Be Next for Alexander Volkov After UFC 321?5 days ago

Alexander Volkov has been one of the most consistent heavyweight contenders of the past decade, boasting a resume filled with knockout wins and experience in high-stakes UFC main events. Despite always hovering near title contention, Volkov has yet to earn an undisputed championship opportunity. With the upper tier of the heavyweight division in flux and Jon Jones’ activity uncertain, Volkov needs a marquee matchup that both elevates his profile and offers a potential shortcut to a title shot.

The most compelling and lucrative next step is to welcome Alex Pereira to heavyweight. Pereira, fresh off reclaiming his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and expressing public interest in chasing greatness with a move to heavyweight, presents a blockbuster stylistic clash. Neither man is likely to grapple, guaranteeing a striking-heavy battle between Volkov’s rangy, technical kickboxing and Pereira’s legendary knockout power and forward pressure. Volkov’s size, experience, and composure would provide a stern test for Pereira’s power and timing at true heavyweight, while Pereira’s explosiveness could challenge Volkov’s ability to maintain range. For Volkov, a win over the two-division champion would finally cement his legacy as one of the best heavyweights of his era.

Stylistically, this is one of the most fan-friendly matchups the UFC could make. Both fighters prefer calculated striking exchanges, using distance and precision to dictate tempo. Pereira’s power and timing could meet their toughest test against Volkov’s height, reach, and volume, creating a chess match on the feet with genuine knockout potential on both sides.

Last Five Fights – Alexander Volkov:

1. Win over Jailton Almeida – Decision (split), UFC 321 (October 25, 2025)
2. Loss to Ciryl Gane – Decision (split), UFC 310 (December 7, 2024)
3. Win over Sergei Pavlovich – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night (June 22, 2024)
4. Win over Tai Tuivasa – Submission, UFC 293 (September 10, 2023)
5. Win over Alexandr Romanov – KO/TKO, UFC Fight Night (March 12, 2023)

Last Five Fights – Alex Pereira:

1. Win over Magomed Ankalaev – TKO (punches and elbows), UFC 320 (October 4, 2025)
2. Loss to Magomed Ankalaev – Decision (unanimous), UFC 313 (March 8, 2025)
3. Win over Khalil Rountree Jr. – TKO (punches), UFC 307 (October 5, 2024)
4. Win over Jiří Procházka – TKO (head kick and punches), UFC 303 (June 29, 2024)
5. Win over Jamahal Hill – KO (punches), UFC 300 (April 13, 2024)