Abu Dhabi — Former Bellator MMA heavyweight champion and current UFC contender Alexander Volkov returned to the win column on Saturday.
It won’t be a fight fondly remembered, but Volkov (39-11) was the more active fighter in comparison to foe Jailton Almeida, who while landing multiple takedowns simply didn’t do anything with them.
“Drago” was hoping for a title shot after the fight, though the No Contest in the heavyweight title fight later in the night will dash those hopes. Still, it’s clear he appreciates the type of fight he was in on Saturday.
“If the UFC doesn’t give us a Performance of the Night bonus, I will be upset. It was the best fight ever I think. Today, for sure. So great,” joked Volkov, who these days has done away with his translator, allowing a well-honed sense of humor to shine through.
His comments brought about a small round of applause in the media room. On a more serious note, the towering Russian added that he was happy to have been able to show his jiu-jitsu in the fight. And he recognizes that Almeida came ready to win, if not ready to put everything on the line.
“Out of the joke, he was tough. His takedown was pretty good. He was well-prepared,” stated Volkov. “I know this was a little bit uninteresting, how he took me down again and again. But I tried to give him more punches where ever it was, on the ground, in the stand-up, where ever. I was just feeling like, give him more damage. Like in the first round, I changed it around, I sweep him, give him some big damage on the top. So for sure he had more damage on him. I feel good.”
Aside from a late punch that caused his nose to bleed anyway, added Volkov. Ultimately, the #2-ranked light heavyweight seemed to think Almeida was fighting not to lose, rather than fighting to win.
“He kind of tried to not lose the fight, or not have damage. You can’t go to the octagon with this thought.”
Watch the full UFC 321 post-fight press conference with Alexander Volkov above.
