UFC 333: Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev Preview & Prediction
by Owen Liao ·
A title contender scrap on the UFC 333 main card, as veteran kickboxer Alexander Volkov looks to fend off the rising Dagestani wrestler Rizvan Kuniev and keep his title hopes alive.
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev facts
What time are Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 333
What TV channel is UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev main card
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev (Featherweight)
Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamweight)
Lone’er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev (Heavyweight)
Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita (Featherweight)
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev prelims
Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (Light Heavyweight)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Cameron Rowston (Middleweight)
Grant Dawson vs Nurullo Aliev (Lightweight)
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov (Bantamweight)
Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun (Middleweight)
Bolaji Oki vs Daniel Santos (Lightweight)
Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon (Lightweight)
Iasmin Lucindo vs Nicolle Caliari (Women’s Strawweight)
Alexander Volkov: Rangy vet still knocking on the door
Alexander Volkov (40-11) has won six of his last seven, and arguably should have won all seven. The Ciryl Gane split decision at UFC 310 was widely viewed as a robbery. He followed it with a split decision over Jailton Almeida and a unanimous decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta in May. He isn’t as dangerous on the feet as he once was, and his volume has dipped, but his distance management is still excellent. He works on the outside with single shots, a stabbing front kick and straight punches, his jab especially. On top, he’s opportunistic with submissions. His biggest weakness is defensive wrestling. Almeida took him down seven times.
Rizvan Kuniev: Powerful Dagestani grinder steadily climbing the rankings
Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1, 1 NC) is ranked #7 at heavyweight after a strong UFC run. He dropped a split decision to Curtis Blaydes on debut, then won a clear unanimous decision over Jailton Almeida and stopped Tyrell Fortune with knees in the third round in July. He’s the far better wrestler in this matchup, with excellent takedown defence, and his striking is creative for a heavyweight. He throws sharp boxing combinations, big overhands and heavy kicks. His clinch work is strong, and he loves to lean his weight on opponents against the fence. He’s hittable when he walks forward though, and he gives up a lot of frame here.
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev prediction
This fight will be decided by where it takes place. In the middle of the cage, Volkov’s length, jab and front kick should land plenty on a forward-moving Kuniev, who isn’t hard to hit. Once Kuniev pins him against the fence though, the range disappears. That’s where he’ll grind, stall and land lighter, scoring knees for the judges.
That’s a worrying thought for Volkov. The Almeida fight showed how vulnerable he is when pinned down, and his fights have a habit of looking closer than they should. He was robbed against Gane and only scraped past Almeida on a split. The judges could reward Kuniev’s control on the fence even if Volkov does more damage per round.
There’s also an intriguing shared opponent. Kuniev beat Almeida more clearly than Volkov did, which gives the Dagestani a real argument here. Still, Volkov moves well for a man his size, and his distance management is the key to this fight. If he keeps circling off the fence and makes Kuniev pay on the way in, the cleaner, more damaging work should be his. Kuniev has the power to change things, but I don’t expect Volkov to give him many chances.
Expect a close, tactical fight that could go either way on the scorecards. I’ll lean towards the veteran.
Prediction: Alexander Volkov to win by decision
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Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev (UFC 333)
