ABU DHABI – Alexander Volkov is confident that, all things equal, Rizvan Kuniev has no chance to beat him.
Volkov (40-11 MMA, 14-5 UFC), a former Bellator champion and current UFC heavyweight contender, believes Kuniev's MMA success is linked to alleged steroid use, and assuming he's clean for UFC 333 (Paramount+) – which takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi – Volkov is uber confident he'll be victorious against him.
"I don't want to be telling the same things every fight, but he looks very similar to many of my opponents," Volkov told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. "What I expect from him is that he will maybe try to beat me in the standup, but after, for sure, he will try to clinch or take me down. I expect nothing else from him. He doesn't
have many weapons to surprise me. I have more technical skills. All success he's had, and I don't want to talk bad about him, I respect him as a person, as I know him, but after he took this fight with me after he came to our gym and I was in class with him, he took this fight, so I should tell some true things I see. We realize that he was cut from PFL for using steroids, performance enhancing substances, so this was his success. I'm not sure he can fight with me without it, so I'm not worried."
Kuniev was suspended for one year by the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for drostanolone, methenolone, boldenone, and 19-norandrosterone for his win over Renan Ferreira in 2023. The victory was overturned to a no contest, and it ended up marking the final fight for Kuniev in the PFL. Kuniev has not tested positive for steroids or had any issue with drug testing since joining the UFC in 2024.
Volkov admits he was, in part, surprised to get matched up with Kuniev. The Russian fighter is 6-1 in his past seven fights, with his only loss a closely contested bout against current UFC heavyweight champion Cyril Gane, whom many thought he beat, including UFC CEO Dana White. Given Volkov's run, many considered him to be the most deserving fighter to challenge Gane. However, that opportunity was given to Josh Hokit.
Despite not getting a title shot, Volkov is happy to be active and cashing another check.
"I'm not disappointed at the opportunity to earn some money," Volkov said in regard to getting matched up with Kuniev. "How am I going to be disappointed?"
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Alexander Volkov before UFC 333: Rizvan Kuniev can't beat me without steroids
