UFC contender Alexander Volkov frustrated with Jon Jones: 'Everyone is waiting'

USA Today

25-05-2025

UFC contender Alexander Volkov frustrated with Jon Jones: 'Everyone is waiting'
Add UFC heavyweight veteran Alexander Volkov to the list of people frustrated with Jon Jones holding up the division.
Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12-5 UFC), currently ranked No. 3 by the promotion in the heavyweight division, wants clarity in the title picture. Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) is expected to fight a title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall next. However, after the promotion announced its summer slate of pay-per-view main events, the Jones vs. Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) fight remains unscheduled.
It's a frustrating position for the Russian heavyweight. Volkov, 36, knows his window of opportunity to earn a title shot is rapidly closing.
"As a fighter, of course, I have a negative opinion about the delay of the Jones-Aspinall fight, because my chances to fight for the championship title are getting smaller, and time is running out," Volkov told ChampionAT in Russian (translated by Google). "In other weight classes, there is a real conveyor belt of fights. That is why I am unhappy. So I would have had a chance to test myself in a title fight a long time ago, if it were not for Jon Jones."
Jones won the vacant title by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285 in March 2023. Jones did not defend his title until UFC 309 in November 2024, where he easily dispatched Stipe Miocic, which was a heavily criticized matchup. Miocic was 42, and had not won a fight since August 2020. Meanwhile, Aspinall was right there waiting as a top contender, as he is today, but with a piece of the title.
UFC CEO Dana White has said on more than one occasion that the Jones vs. Aspinall fight will come together soon, but the demeanor Jones has displayed on social media suggests he's closer to never fighting again than getting ready for another fight.
Volkov, who saw a four-fight winning streak come to an end in a split decision loss to Gane at UFC 310 in December, hopes things clear up soon. He likely has to win a fight or two to earn a shot at the title, but he would like to know what is necessary.
Despite being frustrated with the situation, Volkov said he understands Jones' position as a hot commodity who can call his own shots. However, he also wonders why the UFC continues to entertain Jones while it ruins the flow of the division.
"If I were in Jones' place, with his position, the goal of earning the maximum amount of money and the desire to fight when it is convenient for him, then, of course, I would continue to do this," Volkov said. "It is obvious that he does, first and foremost, what is beneficial for him, and Jon has the right to do this. The question here is not so much about Jon Jones, but about the fact that the UFC allows him to behave this way and shows excessive loyalty to him. As a result, everyone is waiting."