Earlier than Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland take to the Octagon later tonight with the UFC’s middleweight gold on the road, two hard-hitting heavyweights will throw down (beneath).
Within the co-main occasion of UFC 293, set for the Qudos Financial institution Area in Sydney, Australia, native favourite Tai Tuivasa will make the stroll for the primary time this yr. “Bam Bam” hasn’t been in motion since falling to a two-fight skid by the hands of Sergei Pavlovich final December.
If he is to bounce again and preserve his place on the heavyweight ladder, the shoey-drinking fan favourite should get the higher of the opposite Russian sitting excessive up the pecking order.
Former M-1 International and Bellator MMA champion Alexander Volkov has made the journey Down Below in pursuit of a 3rd straight triumph. Within the lead-up, “Drago” has been lifelike about the place a victory over the #6-ranked Tuivasa will depart him in competition.
However though he isn’t anticipating to safe a title shot, Volkov expects to make an announcement to these greater up the rankings.
Volkov: ‘I Will By no means Be An Simple Battle For Anybody’
Throughout a pre-fight interview with E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com, Volkov appeared forward to his collision with knockout artist Tuivasa, which comes on the again of consecutive first-round finishes of Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexandr Romanov.
In including the identify of “Bam Bam” to his document’s win column, the Russian contender expects to indicate the type of well-rounded skillset that he insists would give each fighter within the weight class issues.
“I’m a ache within the ass for everyone who fights with me,” Volkov stated. “I’ll by no means be a simple battle for anybody within the division as a result of I’ve high-level putting, good wrestling expertise; I’m sturdy, I’m large, and I’m on the lookout for the belt… I don’t assume a battle with me is sweet for anybody within the division as a result of I’ll go to the top to complete all people.
“A win over Tai Tuivasa will imply that I present all people that I’m prepared for a title shot,” Volkov continued. “That’s why I wish to present an excellent battle, thrilling for everyone. I’ll attempt to do my finest and put every thing into this battle to indicate that I’m prepared for the belt… The last word aim for me is to be champion, for certain; I need the belt and to be the most effective heavyweight. It’s what I take into consideration all the times, all my sporting life — it’s my aim to be champion of UFC at some point.”
Earlier than waiting for one other push for a primary shot at UFC gold, the #7-ranked Volkov should proceed his sturdy run of kind on the expense of Tuivasa.
With the Aussie competing in his house metropolis for the primary time since his promotional debut in 2017, a win for “Drago” would possible see him depart Sydney as public enemy primary.
Able to throw down (beneath) within the co-main 👊💥@BamBamTuivasa vs @AlexDragoVolkov #UFC293 | Tomorrow | Reside on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/X3HkEdBjIb pic.twitter.com/wi87YbC4Az
— UFC (@ufc) September 8, 2023
Learn Additionally: Alexander Volkov Downplays Tai Tuivasa’s Standing In Heavyweight Division: ‘He Drinks A Shoe After Wins, Simply This’
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