Volkov On UFC Heavyweight Title After Win

Alexander Volkov is done chasing the UFC heavyweight championship.

The Russian contender stopped Rizvan Kuniev on the UFC 333 undercard in Abu Dhabi last weekend, extending his case for a title shot. But in an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, per BJPenn.com, Volkov made it clear the belt no longer drives him. "I'm not hunting for this title and the belt. This belt doesn't define me. I'm still a champion by myself," he said. "I understand who I am, where I am, what I can do, which guys I can beat."

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Volkov Questions UFC Title Shot Criteria

Volkov has repeatedly voiced frustration with the UFC matchmakers' decision to book Ciryl Gane against Josh Hokit for the heavyweight strap at UFC 334. He made his case directly to Dana White during a surprise appearance at the UFC 333 pre-fight press conference, but the promotion has not changed course. Volkov doubled down on his position in the Helwani interview, arguing that the fighter holding the belt should define its value — not the other way around. He described himself as a clean martial artist who respects the sport and his opponents, contrasting that with fighters who bend the rules or aim to injure.

The 36-year-old Russian has climbed back into title contention following the Kuniev finish. Whether he gets the shot he's been lobbying for remains to be seen, but Volkov made it clear he won't spend the rest of his career chasing a belt he already considers himself worthy of. The UFC has not announced his next opponent.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Alexander Volkov ‘not hunting’ UFC heavyweight title after latest win at UFC 333