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Alexander Volkov Says His First UFC Fight Was Very Emotional
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Alexander Volkov (27-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) spoke about how he felt before his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 99. He will fight Roy Nelson (22-13 MMA, 9-9 UFC) today at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s part of the preliminary card on FOX. The main card will also air on the network, with other preliminary fights on UFC Fight Pass. Here are highlights:
On his UFC debut: “The first fight in the UFC was very emotional for me – I had a lot of things going through my mind. For me, it was a fight against myself. In the first round, I hurt him and I went for the kill, and I did a lot of things I’ve never done before. I forgot about my defense and I got caught. I was in the worst scenario, personally, for me – I was knocked down and there was a good wrestler on me. I managed to stand up and finish the fight (and win the decision). It was the fact I managed to become a winner over myself.”
On not having the crowd on his side: “I used to fight in the U.S. (in Bellator), and I would feel how the fans loved my opponent, not me. Usually, it’s helped me because when the crowd is cheering for you, it can help – but it can also create pressure. This fight will be very interesting because he’s a typical American, and I’m a typical Russian. It’ll be a great fight, but I hope it stays only a rivalry in the cage.”
On his fight with Nelson: “I’m training every day and I see I’m developing. I’m trying to develop as a fighter. I had a big winning streak in my previous days, and I hope to have a big streak again. I hope 2017 will be a year of many victories. We’re going to have a beautiful fight, and if the situation allows, I’ll finish him for sure. I also love that for Roy, there’s only one outcome to defeat me, and that’s knock me out. I have different options to fight him: I can submit him, I can knock him out, or I can win all three rounds and win by decision if need be. I have many more tools than he has. So in this one, I’m much more relaxed.”