Alexander Volkov Sarcastically Backs Josh Hokit Title Shot as Inspiring
Alexander Volkov drips sarcasm over Josh Hokit's UFC heavyweight title shot at UFC 334.
Alexander Volkov has found a creative way to express his frustration with the UFC's heavyweight title picture, and Josh Hokit is catching every bit of it.
Hokit, who went 4-0 in his rookie UFC campaign, will challenge newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden. The booking raised eyebrows across the division, and Volkov made his feelings known through a masterclass in sarcasm.
"I'm very supportive of this fight from the UFC," Volkov said, per MMA Mania. "I have a lot of reasons that this fight should happen because Josh Hokit is clearly dealing with some mental illness. Of course he should go in front of me. It's the easiest way for an American heavyweight to get a title shot."
Volkov did not stop there. He called Hokit's rise "an incredibly inspiring story of a guy with mental illness who can fight for the heavyweight title," adding that "mental illness doesn't have to stop anyone from becoming a world champion. This is very admirable for UFC."
The veteran's bitterness has roots. Volkov lost a controversial split decision to Gane at UFC 310 in December 2024, a fight many observers scored for the Russian. Dana White publicly acknowledged the judging was questionable and promised to make things right. Nearly two years later, Volkov is still waiting while a prospect with no top-five wins has leapfrogged him.
"I can do it later," Volkov said. "He can try first. I'm here for almost 10 years."
Volkov faces Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 next month, still grinding toward the shot he believes he already earned.
I live a few miles from the UFC Apex, and I've watched Volkov put in work for the better part of a decade. The man got robbed against Gane, was told the UFC would make it right, and then watched a kid with four fights jump the line for a Madison Square Garden title shot. Of course he's pissed.
The sarcasm was heavy-handed, but the underlying point is valid. Hokit is exciting and the UFC loves his story, but rushing an unranked prospect into a title fight at the Garden while a veteran like Volkov waits is the kind of matchmaking that makes fighters bitter. Whether Hokit proves everyone wrong in November or gets exposed, Volkov deserved the chance first.
