UFC"Drago" | Rank 2Alexander Volkov Record: 40-11-0
HeavyweightRecord40-11-0
Age37
DivisionHeavyweight · #3
Combat Edge Elo1830
Last fightMay 9 2026
Alexander Volkov has a 40-11-0 professional record and is 37 years old in the Heavyweight division, representing Strela Team. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Alexander Volkov bio
Personal background
Alexander Volkov, the towering UFC heavyweight known as "Drago," was born on October 24, 1988, in Moscow, Russia. He came up through traditional martial arts, earning his first karate belt as a young boy before developing into a polished kickboxer and striker. That striking foundation, built on years of karate and kickboxing competition, defined the calm, methodical style he carries to this day. Fighting out of Strela Team, the 6'7" Volkov is one of the tallest and rangiest big men in the heavyweight division, using his height, an 80-inch reach and crisp boxing to fight at distance and pick opponents apart behind a high guard rather than brawl in the pocket.
Path to the UFC
Volkov turned professional in 2009 and cut his teeth on the Russian regional circuit, fighting frequently for M-1 Global. After an early decision win over Ibragim Magomedov in 2009, he hit growing pains, including a 2010 submission loss to Maxim Grishin, before stringing together wins such as a 2011 stoppage of Denis Goltsov and a 2012 decision over veteran Ricco Rodriguez. He then moved to Bellator, where he beat Brett Rogers during the promotion's heavyweight tournament run and captured the Bellator Heavyweight Championship in late 2012.
Building a contender's resume
During his Bellator and M-1 years he submitted undefeated Blagoy Ivanov in 2014 and stopped Roy Boughton, though a 2015 decision loss to Cheick Kongo slowed him. Signing with the UFC, Volkov announced himself by outpointing Roy Nelson in 2017, stopping Stefan Struve, and scoring a statement late knockout of former champion Fabrício Werdum in 2018. A brutal last-second knockout loss to Derrick Lewis later that year was a painful setback in a fight he was winning.
UFC veteran run
Volkov rebuilt with wins over Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem, then absorbed close decision losses to Curtis Blaydes and Ciryl Gane and a submission to surging prospect Tom Aspinall. He kept winning the fights he was supposed to, knocking out Jairzinho Rozenstruik, stopping Alexandr Romanov, submitting Tai Tuivasa in 2023, and outpointing Sergei Pavlovich in 2024 to stay firmly in the title mix.
Fighting style
Volkov is a long-range technician built around volume striking, sharp kicks and clean boxing combinations behind his 80-inch reach. His 40-11 record carries a 70% finish rate, with 24 of his wins coming by knockout – the signature of a striker who breaks opponents down over time and capitalizes when they slow. He has also shown a sneaky submission game, finishing the likes of Ivanov and Tuivasa. His main vulnerabilities are wrestling-heavy pressure and elite grapplers, reflected in losses to Blaydes and Aspinall, and his career-long habit of relinquishing close decisions to the division's very best.
Career highlights
- Former Bellator Heavyweight Champion — won the title in 2012 and previously held an M-1 Global heavyweight belt before reaching the UFC.
- Knockout of Fabrício Werdum — stopped the former UFC heavyweight champion in 2018, one of the marquee wins of his striking career.
- Elite-level longevity — stacked UFC wins over Overeem, Tuivasa, Rozenstruik and Pavlovich while remaining a perennial top-ranked heavyweight contender.
Career snapshot
Alexander Volkov career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1830Great ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#18
Heavyweight#3of 105 active
Peak1830
Last move+11
Opponent quality1748avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1830 Elo after defeating Waldo Cortes-Acosta (2026-05-09)
Similar Elo in Heavyweight
Alexander Volkov quick answers
What is Alexander Volkov's record?
Alexander Volkov's professional MMA record is 40-11-0.
How old is Alexander Volkov?
Alexander Volkov is 37 years old.
What weight class is Alexander Volkov?
Alexander Volkov fights at Heavyweight in UFC.
How tall is Alexander Volkov?
Alexander Volkov is 6'7" tall with a 80" reach.
How much does Alexander Volkov weigh?
Alexander Volkov competes at Heavyweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 258 lbs.
What is Alexander Volkov's Combat Edge Elo?
Alexander Volkov's Combat Edge Elo is 1830, with a peak Elo of 1830.
How strong is Alexander Volkov's recent opposition?
Alexander Volkov's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1748 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Alexander Volkov's last fight?
Alexander Volkov's latest tracked pro fight was against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland on May 9 2026.
What is Alexander Volkov's recent form?
Alexander Volkov's recent tracked pro form is W-W-L-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Alexander Volkov usually win?
Alexander Volkov's 40 recorded wins include 24 knockouts, 4 submissions, and 12 decisions, with 70% ending before the final bell.
24Wins by knockout
4Wins by submission
12Wins by decision
2Loss by knockout
3Loss by submission
6Loss by decision
Alexander Volkov stats
Record : 40 / 11 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
4.78Fighter2.81Division average
Significant striking accuracy
58%Fighter47%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
2.86Fighter4.44Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
54%Fighter48%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.57Fighter1.38Division average
Takedown accuracy
67%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
69%Fighter48%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.23Fighter0.60Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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