Alexander Volkov sees his matchup with Ciryl Gane primarily playing out on the feet.
Volkov (33-8 MMA, 7-2 UFC) meets Gane (8-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 190 headliner Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Having scored back-to-back second round TKOs over Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem, Volkov is riding plenty of momentum heading into his matchup with the unbeaten Gane. He acknowledges that while Gane may only be eight fights into his pro MMA career, he fights like a composed veteran and he’s looking forward to testing his striking skills against him.
“He is a very good striker from France,” Volkov told MMA Junkie. “Despite the fact that he does not have much experience in UFC, he conducts his fights very competently and intelligently, like a real fighter in the top-five world ranking. Indeed, he is dangerous – dangerous for his striking technique, variety of strikes and manner of execution.
“I think it will be a matchup of strikers until one of us gives up and tries to turn to wrestling. But I would like to compete with him in striking, because I’m a striker as well. And I want to find out whose kung fu is better.”
It’s a pivotal heavyweight clash that could likely determine the next No. 1 contender for newly crowned champion Francis Ngannou, who Volkov thinks will be very difficult to dethrone. But though he has aspirations of becoming champion, Volkov is not looking past Gane.
“Francis Ngannou has won the heavyweight title very confidently,” Volkov said. “It was an impressive victory – an impressive example of self-improvement. He defeated his longtime rival. It says a lot about his professional growth in MMA. He is becoming a more difficult opponent. He is very talented, and he is physically gifted for this sport.
“But, of course, as a fighter with a champion’s mindset, I am determined to defeat this opponent. He is the center of attention in the heavyweight division, and surely I do analyze his strengths and mistakes. But first of all, I’m focused on the fight against my current rival, because I see Gane as a good opponent. The main thing is to go through this duel with him now. I don’t think that he is less dangerous than Ngannou.”
Alexander Volkov lauds dangerous Ciryl Gane, but ready to ‘find out whose kung fu is better’
