What you need to know
- Rizvan Kuniev faces Alexander Volkov at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday
- Kuniev said he wants Alex Pereira next if a title shot isn't immediately available
- He questioned Pereira's No. 3 heavyweight ranking after an 0-1 record in the division
- Kuniev objected to Volkov raising his 2023 doping suspension from his PFL days
UFC heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev has mapped out his next steps: beat Alexander Volkov at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, then face Alex Pereira, according to MMA Fighting. Kuniev comes in off wins over Tyrell Fortune and Jailton Almeida.
At Wednesday's media day, Kuniev said he is not friends with Volkov, a fellow Russian he has trained with before, and took issue with Volkov bringing up his 2023 doping suspension from his time in the PFL. Kuniev said Volkov and his team were trying to cover up their fear of him.
Asked about his next opponent if a title shot doesn't come right away, Kuniev picked Pereira over Sergei Pavlovich, saying he would rather not fight a countryman and that a win over Pereira would boost his profile. Pavlovich and Pereira meet at UFC 335 on Dec. 12, while champion Ciryl Gane defends against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14.
Kuniev also criticized Pereira's No. 3 spot in the heavyweight rankings despite an 0-1 record at heavyweight. "To give him No. 3 right off the bat just seems off," Kuniev said.
At Wednesday's media day, Kuniev said he is not friends with Volkov, a fellow Russian he has trained with before, and took issue with Volkov bringing up his 2023 doping suspension from his time in the PFL. Kuniev said Volkov and his team were trying to cover up their fear of him.
Asked about his next opponent if a title shot doesn't come right away, Kuniev picked Pereira over Sergei Pavlovich, saying he would rather not fight a countryman and that a win over Pereira would boost his profile. Pavlovich and Pereira meet at UFC 335 on Dec. 12, while champion Ciryl Gane defends against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14.
Kuniev also criticized Pereira's No. 3 spot in the heavyweight rankings despite an 0-1 record at heavyweight. "To give him No. 3 right off the bat just seems off," Kuniev said.
- Summary
- Ahead of facing Alexander Volkov at UFC 333, Rizvan Kuniev told MMA Fighting he wants Alex Pereira next and called Pereira's No. 3 heavyweight ranking 'very strange'.
- Key points (one per line)
- Rizvan Kuniev faces Alexander Volkov at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday
Kuniev said he wants Alex Pereira next if a title shot isn't immediately available
He questioned Pereira's No. 3 heavyweight ranking after an 0-1 record in the division
Kuniev objected to Volkov raising his 2023 doping suspension from his PFL days
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- MMA Fighting | https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/516996/rizvan-kuniev-blasts-rankings-for-alex-pereiras-very-strange-spot-wants-him-next-after-alexander-volkov-at-ufc-333
Source: MMA Fighting
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