TLDR
- Alexander Volkov predicts Alex Pereira will lose to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 in December
- Volkov believes Pavlovich’s punching power makes him a bad stylistic matchup for Pereira
- Pereira lost his heavyweight debut to Ciryl Gane by TKO at UFC Freedom 250 in June
- Pavlovich has won three straight fights and previously fought Volkov in 2024
- Volkov faces Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi
Sources: sherdog.com | heavy.com
UFC heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov believes Alex Pereira is heading for trouble when he faces Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on December 12 in Las Vegas. Volkov predicts that Pavlovich’s punching power will be too much for the former two-division champion to handle.
“I see Alex Pereira going on a losing streak because it’s a very hard matchup for him,” Volkov told Helen Yee. “Pavlovich punches very hard. Considering his style, it is a very bad matchup for him.”
Alexander Volkov believes Sergei Pavlovich’s punching power could be too much for Alex Pereira and hilariously breaks down what their press conference 😂
“It will be a very awesome press conference with both of them. One of them will say, ‘We’ll see,’ and the other one will say,… pic.twitter.com/g6iNRS1b4I
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 6, 2026
Volkov also joked about the upcoming press conference between the two fighters, given their limited English speaking abilities. “It will be a very awesome press conference with both of them,” Volkov said. “One of them will say, ‘We’ll see,’ and the other one will say, ‘Chama.'”
Pereira moved up to heavyweight earlier in 2026 after successfully defending his light heavyweight title three times. However, his heavyweight debut did not go as planned.
The Brazilian fighter lost to Ciryl Gane by technical knockout in an interim title fight at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Pereira now holds a record of 13 wins and 4 losses.
Pavlovich on Three-Fight Win Streak
Sergei Pavlovich enters the UFC 335 bout with momentum on his side. The Russian heavyweight has won three straight fights and carries a record of 21 wins and 3 losses.
Volkov and Pavlovich were once friends and training partners, but their relationship fell apart before their 2024 fight. Volkov won that bout by unanimous decision and tried to make peace afterward, but Pavlovich shoved him away and remained upset.
Volkov Weighs In on Gane Title Defense
Volkov also shared his thoughts on the UFC 334 heavyweight title fight between champion Ciryl Gane and challenger Josh Hokit in November. He picked Gane to win but admitted he would prefer a different outcome.
“Of course, Ciryl Gane has more chances to win, speaking seriously about it,” Volkov said. “But it’s never predictable, never. I can bet on Ciryl Gane.”
Volkov explained that a Hokit victory would create an easier path to the title for himself. “For me, the best way is if Josh Hokit wins and I win my fight, and we meet in a title fight; for me, it will be an easier fight, an easier title shot,” he said.
Gane won the heavyweight championship after former champion Tom Aspinall vacated the belt due to eye injuries. The French fighter is now preparing for his first title defense against the rising contender.
The UFC heavyweight division has several major fights scheduled over the next two months. Three key bouts will help shape the future of the division.
Volkov returns to action first, facing Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi. He must win to stay in contention for a title shot.
Gane defends his heavyweight title against Hokit at UFC 334 in November before Pereira and Pavlovich meet at UFC 335 in December at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
