Alexander Volkov Beats Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Calls for Title Shot Saying Pereira "Not a Heavyweight"

"Volkov, as he so often does, had a height and reach advantage in the bout, though he was only three inches taller than Dominican Cortes-Acosta. The former Bellator champ fired low kicks early, but Cortes-Acosta was happy to return fire. Cortes-Acosta also worked his jab, but not surprisingly, it couldn't cover the distance required to reach Volkov. The Russian, meanwhile, landed his inside leg kick more than once as he circled and moved side-to-side."

"Cortes-Acosta finally exploded ahead of the midway mark of round one, firing some fastballs, but Volkov blocked then escaped. He'd continue working both inside and outside leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta chased the towering Volkov, firing heavy punches that continued to hit air. Volkov went to the body with a kick, and connected; Cortes-Acosta landed a jab off of it however."

"Round two saw Cortes-Acosta pressing forward, putting on enough pressure for Volkov to briefly change levels. Cortes-Acosta began targeting the body, and found a home for his right hand as well. Volkov answered with a kick to the body, then another. A high kick by Volkov had a combination trailing it, though Cortes-Acosta wasn't in any danger. As the round wore on, Cortes-Acosta pointed to center, pleading for a brawl that Volkov wasn't interested in."

"Moments later, it was Volkov clipping Waldo with a punch; "Salsa Boy" waved him in anyway. "

Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta fought on the UFC 328 main card in New Jersey with a potential path toward a future title shot. Volkov held a height and reach advantage and used low kicks early while moving side-to-side and landing inside leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta returned fire with jabs and pressure, but his jab struggled to reach Volkov’s distance. After Cortes-Acosta surged ahead with fast punches, Volkov blocked and escaped, then continued mixing inside and outside leg kicks. In round two, Cortes-Acosta pressed forward and targeted the body, while Volkov answered with body kicks and a high kick. Volkov later landed a punch that prompted Cortes-Acosta to invite further exchanges.

Read at Cageside Press