Alexander Volkov has a staunch supporter in one of the greatest-ever UFC heavyweights.

Many think the Russian has the right to feel hard done by after missing out on a UFC title shot despite his strong winning run.

Volkov’s UFC 333 victory over Rizvan Kuniev this past Saturday night made it three wins in a row. His only defeat across the last eight fights was a controversial decision loss to current champion Ciryl Gane.

The issue for ‘Drago’ has been securing the chance to challenge for gold inside the Octagon. If he eventually gets one, Stipe Miocic expects Volkov to make the most of it.

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Stipe Miocic thinks Alexander Volkov will become UFC heavyweight champion ‘if he gets the opportunity’

Miocic fought plenty of big names in his career inside the cage, during which he became a two-time heavyweight champion and cemented himself as the consensus greatest of all time in the division.

But his path did not cross with Volkov’s, a seven-time headliner in the UFC who has made 20 appearances in the promotion since signing in 2016.

The legendary ex-champ is actually relieved that he didn’t have to cross swords with ‘Drago’, a towering heavyweight whom Miocic is a big fan of.

“Volkov has fought everyone. He’s super tough,” Miocic said while speaking to Casino.org.

“I’ve always watched him and I’ve always rooted for him. I’m glad I never fought him, but I think if he gets the opportunity to become champion, he’ll get it done.

“I think he’s quick and it’s not like he goes into fights and gets smoked. I think he just does it his own way, and I think he’s right there,” he added.

It remains to be seen what more Volkov must do to book a showdown with the heavyweight champ, especially after not receiving a straight answer from Dana White regarding his position during the UFC 333 press conference.

Having beaten Sergei Pavlovich in 2024, ‘Drago’ may be hoping that his fellow Russian heavyweight gets the better of Alex Pereira to prevent ‘Poatan’ securing a fight in 2027 with the winner of Gane’s title defense against Josh Hokit.