Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev

📢 Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev are set to face off in a heavyweight clash at UFC 333. Volkov enters the Octagon boasting a record of 40 wins and 11 losses, having recently outpointed Jailton Almeida and Waldo Cortes-Acosta by judges’ decision in his last two outings. Kuniev, meanwhile, holds 14 victories, three defeats, and one draw, and is coming off a convincing win over Tyrell Fortune. Volkov enjoys a notable advantage in height and reach, which allows him to dictate range and keep opponents at bay. However, Kuniev is a real threat in the clinch and is capable of imposing his physicality in close quarters.

Our pick here is a win for Alexander Volkov. The Russian has claimed victory in his last two fights, landing an average of 4.84 significant strikes per minute compared to Kuniev’s 4.32. Volkov’s superior size should help him control the distance and rack up points in the stand-up exchanges. Given his experience against elite heavyweights and improved takedown defense, a judges’ decision in Volkov’s favor looks like a well-founded prediction.