Since joining UFC’s roster in 2016, former Bellator and M-1 kingpin Volkov has cemented himself as a Top 10 talent. However, the title shot continues to elude him,
and 13 years into his professional career, it’s unclear if he’ll ever be able to clear the hurdle. Nevertheless, “Drago” currently serves a great role in testing highly talented up-and-comers like Aspinall.
The English prospect, meanwhile, has ran through the majority of his competition, stopping each and every one of his victories. He’s yet to face anyone quite like Volkov, however, which makes for an intriguing and relevant Heavyweight main event.
There are two real ways Aspinall wins this fight. The most likely involves blowing Volkov out of the water, either way a quick combination of punches or perhaps a surprise takedown and strangle.
If that early finish doesn’t materialize, Aspinall has to land hard enough that Volkov grows hesitant to engage, at which point the volume battle will be less of a problem.
One way or another, Aspinall has to do damage early, and his best range to do so is close quarters. He’s nasty from the pocket, and better yet, has scored half of his UFC finishes off the
clinch. If he presses Volkov into the fence early, it’s going to be difficult for the taller man to avoid the ranges that Aspinall is most deadly in.
From that point forward, Aspinall has to be wary of how hard he pushes the pace/searches for a finish, but that hand speed advantage is going to be gigantic
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Volkov does not want to be relegated to the gatekeeper role. He’s a young Heavyweight himself at 33 years of age, so that future is not set in stone.
If he can turn away a top-notch prospect like Aspinall and extend his win streak to two — as well as four of his last five — that should be enough to get Volkov a match up vs. a higher ranked foe next time out.
The stakes are obviously huge for Aspinall. If victorious, the English fighter will significantly jump up the ladder.
Volkov would be by far the biggest scalp of his career, one that really confirms his status as a top contender and, likely, a future champion. Only elite Heavyweights have beaten Volkov in recent years, and Aspinall can add his own name to that group.
