Alexander Volkov
Alexander Volkov wants to keep the ball rolling, and fight the winner of Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa
This weekend’s UFC Fight Night featured a heavyweight clash between top-ranked fighters Alexander Volkov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Both fighters were coming off losses, and interestingly the fighters that defeated them, Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall will end up fighting each other at UFC London in July. The card absolutely delivered, with some fantastic performances, capped off by a controversial end to the main event.
The main event began with both fighters throwing kicks right off the back. Rozenstruik caught one of the straight kicks that Volkov attempted, and landed two uppercuts through the pipe. However, the Russian showed incredible resilience and will to stay in the fight, bouncing back with a straight left that staggered Rozenstruik. The mouthpiece went flying as Rozenstruik’s knees buckled, and the Russian poured on the volume of punches that led to Herb Dean intervening.
It was an early stoppage in many people’s opinion considering that Rozernstruik was still on his feet and trying to defend. Regardless it was a great victory for the veteran Russian who bounced back from a loss.
Volkov has been around in the sport for the longest time, and fancies another shot at the title before calling it quits. He has targeted a fight with Tai Tuivasa next, who is all set to face Ciryl Gane in September. Speaking to the media during the post-fight press conference, Volkov said, “Probably, one [opponent] who I’m not fighting right now, in upper and mid [tier], it’s Tuivasa. But he’ll have to fight against [Ciryl] Gane in September or something. So, I need to wait, I need to wait for somebody. Or, any opponents that UFC will give me will be good. So, I just like to fight, and I’m here,”
A visibly and understandably upset Rozenstruik reacted to the stoppage on Twitter questioning the nature of it, and also explaining what actually went down. In a series of two tweets he posted, he said, ‘(1/2) Hi everyone. I’m kinda confused on how the fight went and I’m disappointed that it was stopped. It definitely was a troubling situation, but I was far from giving up the fight. Did someone lay flat on the ground with his eyes shut? That’s what we call a knockout. #UFCVegas56’
He added, ‘(2/2) Alexander and I basically just started exchanging some heavy strikes. The stuff you ‘all wanted to see! Big up to
@AlexDragoVolkov
for taking the fight. I’ve no noteable damage and I like to fight soon. #UFCVegas56′
Regardless of the outcome its good to see Rozenstruik healthy, fit and raring to go again. He will most likely have to build up his way up the ranks again, however a rematch with Volkov still seems viable if the UFC considers it sensible.
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