Tensions are rising between heavyweight fighters Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida, but will this animosity translate into a fight in the octagon?
Alexander Volkov seems to think not. The seasoned UFC heavyweight contender addressed recent rumors on social media, reported by MMA reporter Léo Guimaraes, suggesting a potential matchup at a UFC event in Atlanta on June 14.
Volkov, currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC heavyweight division, is positioned three places above Almeida, who sits at No. 6. According to Volkov, a fight between them doesn`t align with their current rankings.
Sources at MMA Fighting have confirmed that while Almeida`s camp is eager to make the fight a reality, Volkov`s team has not yet agreed to the bout.
Almeida has made his desire to fight Volkov abundantly clear, responding to Volkov`s comments directly on social media.
“I`ve already agreed with the UFC,” Almeida stated. “What about you, Volkov? June 14th, Atlanta, Georgia. I just want to fight. This talk about rankings is irrelevant; you are avoiding the fight and are coming off a loss. This is the fight that makes sense.”
Almeida is riding a two-fight winning streak, both victories coming by first-round finishes against Serghei Spivac and Alexander Romanov. He also pointed out that Volkov is coming off a split decision loss to Ciryl Gane, which ended a four-fight win streak for the veteran Russian fighter.
Almeida further commented, suggesting that if Volkov is unwilling to defend his ranking position, he should forfeit it.
“Talking about how beating me won’t improve his ranking is pointless. Curtis Blaydes beat me and then fought for the title. Everyone knows I`m a tough opponent, so if Volkov defeats me, he`ll be in title contention. The real question is: Does he believe he can beat me?” Almeida questioned.
“For those who create the UFC rankings, we need to penalize fighters who turn down fights. In this specific scenario, if Volkov refuses to fight me, I deserve to move ahead of him in the rankings,” Almeida argued.
#3 Almeida
#6 Volkov
