Russian UFC heavyweight Alexander Volkov is lining up a sequel with former interim champion Cyril Gan, a pairing that sports outlets like AllBoxing among its sources. The news has not been officially confirmed, but expectations point to a showdown on the UFC 308 main card, scheduled for October 26 in Abu Dhabi.
The two veterans first met in June 2021, a bout that ended with Gan earning a unanimous decision victory by the scorecards 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. Gan went on to seize the interim title after defeating Derrick Lewis, though he later relinquished it in a defeat to Francis Ngannou.
On June 23, Volkov faced fellow Russian Sergei Pavlovich, taking a unanimous decision win with scorelines of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. After the fight, Volkov approached Pavlovich to express thanks, but Pavlovich pushed him away in a tense moment that underscored the animosity between the two camps.
The buildup also featured mutual stares between Volkov and Pavlovich, with the disagreement centering on who would have the first fight slot. Only Dana White, the UFC president, managed to diffuse the rising tension between the two athletes and their teams.
Volkov’s career now spans 48 fights, with 38 victories. Pavlovich has appeared inside the octagon 21 times, compiling 18 wins and three losses. The momentum between these two heavyweights continues to draw interest from fans across Russia, Europe, and North America as fight week approaches.
Speculation around the Volkov-Gan matchup continues to grow, as each fighter looks to cement his position in the heavyweight rankings and add another marquee win to his resume. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the dynamic between Volkov’s experience and Gan’s striking versatility plays out inside the UFC cage.