Alexander Volkov Touts Lessons Learned Against Derrick Lewis

"“So much needed right now just wins. Maybe it wasn't so impressive, but Waldo is f*cking tough mother f*cker. Nobody can finish him,” Volkov told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum. “I put him knockdown in the second round, but I was so accurate with his tricks.”"

"Volkov (40-11) was well aware the fight may not have been aesthetically pleasing to fans, especially against a known heavy-hitter like Cortes-Acosta, as the Russian largely relied on a point-scoring game plan to keep himself out of danger. It's a lesson he learned the hard way in the past against another dangerous knockout artist. “I learned the lesson. 2008 when Derrick Lewis did the same and (caught) me at the very end of the fight. Everybody reminds me of this again and again every time they see me. So I know this lesson very good,” he said."

"“With these tough mother f*ckers who can punch in any minute in fight, better to be very accurate, and just give him lot of damage.” Volkov has spoken about fighting for the UFC title, including in the cage, but struck a surprisingly self-deprecating tone when discussing his place among the division's elite following the win. Despite his resume and success, he downplayed his standing and admitted to feeling the pressure that comes with climbing the heavyweight ranks."

"“I don't know. I understand the rules of the game. I'm so scared to fight for the title honestly. This guy is so big, so huge, so talented. I don't know what I'm doing here in top two honestly,” he said. “It's so hard to be there like I need to do every time like new plan, how to win. I hid in my closet and coach can't find me so I almost miss the bus to arena. I don't know what I will do when I will fight for the title, I don't know why I tell this. I was so brave after the win, but now a little bit calm down, I don't know why I did this.”"

Waldo is described as extremely tough and difficult to finish, with Volkov emphasizing that winning matters most right now. Volkov acknowledges that the fight may not have looked impressive, because he relied on a point-scoring approach to avoid danger from a known heavy-hitter. He credits accuracy and delivering damage as key tactics when opponents can land power shots at any moment. Volkov reflects on past lessons learned from being caught late in fights, including a similar experience involving Derrick Lewis. He also expresses uncertainty and fear about fighting for the UFC title, citing the size, talent, and pressure of the heavyweight division and admitting he feels out of place among the top two.

Read at Cageside Press