Volkov Overtakes Pereira In UFC 333 Rankings
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Alexander Volkov jumped Alex Pereira to claim the No. 2 heavyweight spot after beating Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi last weekend.
The Russian's victory over fellow ranked contender Kuniev earned him the leap past Pereira in the updated UFC rankings, according to MMA Mania. Volkov now sits directly behind champion Tom Aspinall at 265 pounds, though what comes next for him remains unclear.
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What Volkov's Jump Means For Heavyweight Title Picture
Many fans believe Volkov already defeated Ciryl Gane in their first meeting despite the scorecards going the other way. That history could matter depending on how Gane performs against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 next month in New York City. The outcome of that fight may determine what matchmakers do with Volkov heading into 2027.
Volkov also faces competition from the winner of another upcoming heavyweight clash. He previously asked UFC CEO Dana White what steps were required to secure a title shot but reportedly did not receive a straight answer.
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The rankings shuffle comes as Pereira explores options across multiple weight classes. The former light heavyweight champion has discussed the possibility of dropping back down to 205 pounds if his heavyweight run stalls.
Volkov fights at UFC 334 on November 14 in New York.
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