Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov Lined Up for UFC 254

Alexander Volkov UFC
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 19: Alexander Volkov of Russia poses on the scale during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on June 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

UFC heavyweight Walt Harris will look to get back on track this October against Alexander Volkov.

First reported by Russia’s Sport.ru, the bout between Harris and Volkov has been lined up for UFC 254. Although the location of the event has not been officially announced, the PPV card is expected to take place October 24.

Harris (13-8, 1NC) returned to action earlier this year, his first fight back following the tragic murder of stepdaughter Aniah Blanchard. After a strong opening round against Alistair Overeem at UFC on ESPN 8 in May, the tables were turned on Harris. Overeem wound up taking the win via second-round TKO.

Prior to the loss Harris had put together three wins, as well as a No Contest against Andre Arlovski (a fight Harris had won that was overturned due to a positive drug test stemming from a contaminated supplement).

Volkov (31-8), a former Bellator MMA heavyweight champion, has sandwiched a win over Greg Hardy between losses to Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes. Prior to the Lewis defeat, a memorable late-fight knockout by “The Black Beast,” Volkov had been considered a hopeful for a title shot. Lewis got that instead, and Volkov will look to get his own career path sorted out against Harris. He’ll enter the fight off a loss to Curtis Blaydes.

UFC 254 is expected to be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje for the promotion’s undisputed lightweight title.