Volkov Beats Kuniev on Points and Asks Dana White for a Title Shot

Alexander Volkov beat Rizvan Kuniev by unanimous decision on the UFC 333 main card on Saturday. The scores were 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27. It was also Volkov's birthday.

After the fight, the former Bellator champion turned to the UFC president with a question. "What should I do to take a title shot? Answer me please," Volkov said. He had asked something similar at the UFC 333 press conference, where he crashed the event and wanted to know what he needed to do to earn a shot. White either played along or did not recognize him until Alexander Volkanovski tipped him off.

Volkov has spent ten years in the promotion. That leaves him tied with more fights than almost any active heavyweight, and second all time in significant strikes in the division, behind only Andrei Arlovski.

Round by round

Volkov began by throwing a kick to the body and landing a jab over one of Kuniev's own kicks. Kuniev did crash in at times, and Volkov answered with a volley that pushed him back. Kuniev got a short break after a low blow that landed as he lifted his leg to kick. The round belonged to Volkov's steady output and long strikes.

In round two Kuniev threw an overhand and Volkov replied with a kick and jab. In the clinch Volkov took control quickly. Kuniev had weighed in heavier than Volkov, but the other man's height and length gave him trouble. Kuniev's best moments were a superman punch and a lunging attack right after it.

Kuniev came out hot in round three. Volkov's calf kicks and teeps landed, and they forced Kuniev to change stances. A back fist from Kuniev in close was followed by an exchange in which both men landed. With just over a minute left, Volkov took Kuniev's back and dragged him down. He got his hooks in and went for a rear-naked choke. He did not finish it, but the attempts took him the round.

Source: Cageside Press