A heavyweight collision is on tap to headline the UFC’s return to Russia this fall.
Former UFC champion Junior Dos Santos (21-6 MMA, 15-5 UFC) looks to get back in the win column against fellow contender Alexander Volkov (30-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 21 on Nov. 9 from CSKA Arena in Moscow, the promotion announced Saturday.
The last time Dos Santos was seen inside the cage, he was being pounded out by former title challenger Francis Ngannou. The Frenchman finished Dos Santos with a series of punches just 71 seconds into the opening round of their UFC on ESPN 3 bout in June.
Prior to the defeat, Dos Santos was riding a three-fight win streak. The 35-year-old fighter had consecutively finished Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa, after he won a unanimous decision against Blagoy Ivanov.
Immediately after the loss to Ngannou, Dos Santos vowed to get back in the gym as soon as possible with the hopes of getting booked for a quick turnaround fight. Dos Santos got his wish, as five months later he’ll step into the cage with the former Bellator champion.
His opponent, Russia’s Volkov, will have his first home match inside the UFC cage. In the UFC’s sophomore Russian event, the 6-foot-7 heavyweight will look to rebound from a last-second defeat to Derrick Lewis at UFC 229 in October 2018. Prior to the knockout loss, Volkov rode a six-fight winning streak.
“Drago” was originally slated to return at the promotion’s debut event in Russia, UFC on ESPN+ 7 in April, but health issues forced him out of his headlining bout against Alistair Overeem.
