Alexander Volkov

Alexander Volkov’s Career in M-1 Global

Alexander Volkov joined the M-1 Global in 2008 and made his professional MMA debut in April 2009, winning by TKO against Nikolay Pleshakov in just 80 seconds. He then won his next fight a month later, but suffered his first loss in his third fight to Akhmed Sultanov via armbar submission. Volkov then went on a two-fight win streak, both by TKO. In December 2009, he faced Ibragim Magomedov at M-1 Challenge 20 and won by unanimous decision, earning an M-1 Global ring for his exceptional performance.

In 2016, Volkov faced Denis Smoldarev at M-1 Challenge 64 for the vacant M-1 Global Heavyweight title and won by submission via triangle choke. He also fought former Bellator light heavyweight champion Attila Végh on June 16, 2016, at M-1 Challenge 68 and won by knockout in the first round. Fans can watch all of Volkov's fights in the M-1 Global league on the M-1 Global TV channel.

Alexander Volkov’s Career in Bellator MMA

Alexander Volkov joined Bellator Fighting Championships in September 2012 and made his U.S. debut in the Bellator season seven heavyweight tournament. He defeated Brett Rogers in the opening quarter-final round via unanimous decision and Vinicius Queiroz in the semifinals via TKO in the second round. In December 2012, he won the Bellator Season 7 Heavyweight Tournament Final and Bellator Heavyweight Championship by defeating Richard Hale via unanimous decision.

In his first title defense, Volkov faced Vitaly Minakov at Bellator 108 in November 2013 but lost the bout and his title via TKO in the first round. He bounced back with a TKO victory over Mark Holata at Bellator 111 in March 2014 and a spectacular knockout win over Mighty Mo in the semifinals of the Heavyweight Tournament at Bellator 116 in April 2014. Volkov went on to defeat Blagoy Ivanov in the finals of the tournament via submission in the second round at Bellator 120 in May 2014.

Volkov faced Tony Johnson at Bellator 136 in April 2015, where he lost via split decision. He then faced Cheick Kongo at Bellator 139 in June 2015, but lost the fight via unanimous decision. Following his second consecutive loss, Volkov’s contract was cut by Bellator MMA.

Alexander Volkov’s Career in UFC

In 2016, Volkov signed with the UFC and made his debut against Timothy Johnson at UFC Fight Night 99, winning via a controversial split decision. He then went on to defeat Roy Nelson, Stefan Struve, and Fabrício Werdum, earning his first Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses in the process.

In 2018, Volkov suffered his first UFC loss against Derrick Lewis, despite dominating the fight. He then pulled out of a scheduled bout against Alistair Overeem and defeated Greg Hardy instead. Volkov went on to lose to Curtis Blaydes but rebounded with a win over Walt Harris.

In 2021, Volkov earned his second Performance of the Night bonus with a victory over Alistair Overeem but lost to Ciryl Gane in June. He then defeated Marcin Tybura before suffering a submission loss to Tom Aspinall in March 2022. Volkov won against Alexander Romanov at UFC Fight Night 221, which took place on 11th March 2023.

At UFC 293 Alexander Volkov squared off against Tai Tuivasa and defeated him via second-round submission. In his most recent outing to the octagon, he took on Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov on June 22, 2024. Volkov secured a unanimous decision victory in the fight and extended his winning streak to four. He is braced up to return to the octagon on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310 in a heavyweight showdown against the former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.

Alexander Volkov's Record

As of December 5, 2024, Alexander Volkov boasts of an impressive professional mixed martial arts record of 38 wins and 10 losses.