Alexander Volkov
Active 2017–present · rated in 5 editions · peak overall 87.0
Scouting report
6-foot-7 length, jab volume, and technical kickboxing allowed Alexander "Drago" Volkov to capture Bellator and M-1 Global heavyweight titles before surging into UFC title contention. Hailing from Moscow, Russia, Volkov secured knockouts of Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem, his striking backed by a 90 Boxing rating and 92 Kickboxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Volkov made a UFC arrival from 2016 to 2017, defeating Timothy Johnson in Belfast, outpointing Roy Nelson in Kansas City, and stopping Stefan Struve with third-round strikes in Rotterdam with kickboxing combinations. His 6-foot-7 height, 80-inch reach, straight punches, and front kicks are reflected in an 85 Boxing and 86 Cardio.
In March 2018 in London, Volkov knocked out former champion Fabricio Werdum in the fourth round, and out-worked Greg Hardy over three rounds in Moscow after suffering a third-round knockout loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 229. His kickboxing volume, cardio pace, and takedown defense anchor his 87 Boxing and 88 Cardio.
Volkov scored finishes across 2020 and 2021 on Fight Island and in Las Vegas, stopping Walt Harris with a body kick and punches, stopping Alistair Overeem with punches in round two, and outpointing Marcin Tybura at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. His sniper precision, low leg kicks, and body strikes justify his 88 Boxing and 88 Cardio.
Volkov assembled a four-fight winning streak between 2022 and 2024, knocking out Jairzinho Rozenstruik, stopping Alexander Romanov in round one, submitting Tai Tuivasa with an Ezekiel choke in Sydney at UFC 293, and out-pointing Sergei Pavlovich in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June 2024. His striking variety and wrestling improvements anchor his 90 Boxing and 90 Cardio.
Alexander Volkov, the tall striker who collected belts on two continents
Alexander Volkov turned pro in 2009 and won heavyweight championships in both M-1 Global and Bellator before joining the big American promotion in 2016. He fights as a patient, technical striker who uses his height and reach, with hard body kicks as a signature. He knocked out Fabricio Werdum in round four in 2018 and stopped Overeem in round two in 2021. He also ranks near the top of the heavyweight division in career significant strikes landed.
Volkov by the numbers
Boxing. Patient, technical boxing from long range is how he is described. He beat Marcin Tybura by decision in 2021.
Kickboxing. His best rating. Body kicks are his calling card, and one helped stop Walt Harris in round two in 2020.
Wrestling. Better than his reputation. He held up through a Blaydes fight where 14 takedowns landed, though he lost the decision.
BJJ. Real but uncommon. In 2023 he finished Tai Tuivasa with an Ezekiel choke, only the second such finish in the promotion.
Strength. Good size behind his range strikes. He beat Tybura and Greg Hardy by decision.
Durability. Derrick Lewis knocked him out late in round three in 2018 after Volkov had been winning the fight.
Cardio. Very good over five rounds. He finished Werdum in the fourth.
Fight IQ. He lost to Ciryl Gane by decision in 2021, and the 2024 rematch was a split decision that 19 of 20 media scorecards gave to Volkov. The promotion's president said afterward that he thought Volkov had won.
Kickboxing at 92 is the reason he is on the list
That number tops his card and it shows in how he wins. The body kick that helped end the Harris fight is the clearest example. When he controls distance and sets the tempo, most heavyweights struggle to reach him.
BJJ at 80 is the only place he trails
Tom Aspinall submitted him with a straight armbar in round one in 2022, the clearest example of the gap. Even so, 80 is a respectable score, and Volkov also finished Tuivasa with a choke, so he is not helpless on the mat.
Keep exploring
Closest heavyweight profiles to Alexander Volkov, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Ciryl Ganebest kickboxing 93 · weakest wrestling 80
- Alistair Overeembest kickboxing 95 · weakest cardio 78
- Mirko Cro Copbest kickboxing 93 · weakest bjj 72
- Stipe Miocicbest boxing 93 · weakest bjj 80
- Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Alexander Volkov's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Alexander Volkov is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Alexander Volkov's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.