Alexander Volkov wants alex pereira in the heavyweight division, and he said the weight class is better when more powerful, dangerous and bright fighters join it. The former Bellator heavyweight champ made the case this week while preparing for Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328 on Saturday in Newark.
Volkov said he would like “more powerful, dangerous and bright fighters in the division,” naming Josh Hokit, Cortes-Acosta and Pereira as examples if Pereira comes. He added that it is “more honor to be at the top with these guys in the division than to be on top when everybody says the heavyweight division is not in its prime right now.”
Volkov on Cortes-Acosta
Before turning to Pereira, Volkov described Cortes-Acosta as familiar and dangerous. “looks very familiar for me,” he said, then pointed to the opponent’s boxing and punch power. “I think his strong side right now is his motivation. The place where he is right now, his motivation to go forward, his motivation to fight with the top guys.”
He added, “he’s hungry for this, and this makes him dangerous.” That is the backdrop to a fight that comes with pressure on both men: Volkov is not waiting on a title shot, and he said he wants to beat hyped fighters and show he is still one of the best in the world.
Heavyweight traffic at the top
Volkov said he is feeling great about heavyweight at the moment and sees new names pushing into the division. He pointed to recent bright spots such as Josh Hokit against Curtis Blaydes and Brando Pericic against Shamil Gaziev, using them as evidence that the class is changing from the criticism it has carried for years.
The numbers around Volkov explain why his view carries weight. He has fought 50 professional bouts and owns a 39-11 record, and Saturday’s matchup in Newark gives him another chance to extend the run he says he needs while the division keeps filling in with harder hitters.
Newark and the next test
For Volkov, the immediate task is Cortes-Acosta. The larger point is that he wants the heavyweight ladder crowded with fighters who bring power and name value, and he said Pereira would fit that picture if he joins. If that happens, Volkov is already on record as wanting that kind of fight at the top, not a softer path to the title.
