Volkov Confronts Dana White Over UFC 334 Heavyweight Title Snub at UFC 333 Presser

Alexander Volkov stole the show at Thursday's UFC 333 press conference in Abu Dhabi — and he wasn't even supposed to be on the stage.

The No. 4-ranked heavyweight was not among the four title fighters on the dais, but he seized his moment during the fan questions to confront UFC CEO Dana White about the heavyweight title picture. Volkov wanted to know what he must do to earn a crack at gold after being passed over for champion Ciryl Gane's next defense.

Instead, Gane will face American Josh Hokit — ranked two places below Volkov — in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on November 14, with Tom Aspinall currently sidelined through injury. The decision stings particularly because Gane beat Volkov by split decision in 2024, a result several observers, including White himself, felt could have gone the Russian's way.

Volkov first asked fellow headliner Alexander Volkanovski for advice on becoming champion, then turned his attention to White. The heavyweight contender will have his own business to handle first: he faces Rizvan Kuniev on the UFC 333 main card this Saturday at the Etihad Arena.