Alexander Volkov

Alexander Yevgenyevich Volkov (Александр Евгеньевич Волков; born October 24, 1988) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist.

He currently competes in the Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

In 2008 Volkov signed with the M-1 Global.

A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Volkov previously competed for the M-1 Global promotion, as well as Bellator MMA.

He is a former heavyweight champion in both promotions.

As of September 12, 2023, he is #6 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

His professional MMA debut came in April 2009 when he defeated Nikolay Pleshakov by TKO (punches) in just 80 seconds.

Volkov followed this up a month later with another TKO victory, this time against Adam Alikhanov in just 20 seconds.

A further month later, Volkov suffered his first professional loss at the hands of Akhmed Sultanov.

Midway through the first round, Volkov was forced to tap to an armbar.

Volkov then went on a two-fight win streak, both via TKO.

In December 2009, after just eight months as a professional fighter, Volkov faced Ibragim Magomedov at M-1 Challenge 20 - 2009 Finals.

Coming in as an underdog, his team simply wanted him to make it through all three rounds, but Volkov exceeded expectations by winning via unanimous decision.

Volkov was awarded an M-1 Global ring "as a reward for exceptional performance".

Volkov progressed to the M-1 Selection 2010 - Eastern Europe Finals, where a win would put him in line to challenge for the M-1 Global Heavyweight title at the 2010 M-1 Challenge Season events.

To reach the championship fight, Volkov first had to take on Maxim Grishin to become the Eastern Europe champion.

Unfortunately for Volkov, he fell prey to a rear-naked choke early in the opening round and was eliminated.

Less than a month later, Volkov took his first fight outside of M-1 in nearly a year.

His opponent was the debuting Eldar Yagudin, who he defeated inside the opening round by TKO (punches).

On August 5, 2011, as part of League-70 Russia vs Brazil, held in Sochi, Russia, Alexander Volkov defeated the undefeated at that time Bulgarian Nedyalko Karadzhov via TKO in the opening round.

In September 2012, it was announced that Volkov would compete for Bellator Fighting Championships.

He made his U.S. debut in the Bellator season seven heavyweight tournament.

In the opening, quarter-final round he faced Brett Rogers at Bellator 75.

Volkov dominated the fight by making the most of his reach advantage.

Volkov won via unanimous decision.

In the semifinals at Bellator 80, he faced Vinicius Queiroz and won via TKO in the second round.

On December 14, Volkov fought Richard Hale in a 5 round fight for Bellator Season 7 Heavyweight Tournament Final and Bellator Heavyweight Championship.

Volkov won via unanimous decision.

In his first title defense, Volkov faced Vitaly Minakov in the co-main event at Bellator 108 on November 15, 2013.

He lost the bout and his title via TKO in the first round.

Volkov faced Mark Holata on March 7, 2014, at Bellator 111 in Heavyweight Tournament.

He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Volkov faced Mighty Mo in the semifinals at Bellator 116 on April 11, 2014.

He won the fight via spectacular knockout in the first round.

Volkov faced Blagoy Ivanov in the finals on May 17, 2014, at Bellator 120.

Volkov faced Denis Smoldarev on February 19, 2016, M-1 Challenge 64 for the vacant M-1 Global Heavyweight title, he won the fight via submission (triangle choke).

Volkov faced former Bellator light heavyweight champion Attila Végh on June 16, 2016, at M-1 Challenge 68.

He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

This and other fights of Alexander Volkov in the M-1 league can be viewed in the All fights of Alexander Volkov in M-1 Global of the M-1 Global TV channel.

Within his first year of professional competition, Volkov was competing in the M-1 Eastern European tournament, taking victories in the opening round and the semi-final.