mma / News

Alexander Volkov Says Bellator Wants Showmen, Not Fighters

February 12, 2016 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Alexander Volkov spoke with MMAjunkie about his Bellator release and more. You can read some excerpts below:

On his departure from Bellator: “Just after the two losses, we had a talk with Bellator. They told us that everything was OK, to continue life as a Bellator fighter. But after some months, I received news that I was fired from the organization. I heard it on the news, not from the organization itself. I really think that the organization wants to have other people like (Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson) who are showmen, not fighters. My main problem is the lack of PR and marketing – a lack of attention within the U.S. market.”

On Kimbo Slice: “By no means do I think (Kimbo Slice is) a professional. I really think that it’s wrong to put on shows like that. I think that every MMA fan knows that neither Kimbo or his opponent would have a chance against me inside a cage. It’s not sports. This is a pure show, and sports lose out from that sort of thing.”

On a rematch with Blagoy Ivanov: “Right now, frankly, I’m more interested in a UFC belt, out of the American organizations. I’ll think about my career after I fulfill my two fights in M-1. The UFC is the target, of course. But I don’t want to go there as just another fighter. I want to go there with a meaningful belt. I’m a young fighter, and I wish to take two steps forward, not two steps back. I want to move my career forward.”