Tom Aspinall Responds to Alexander Volkov’s Callout: 'I Just Think I’m Better Than Him'

Aspinall is slated to defend his interim heavyweight title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes in the main event at UFC 304 on Saturday in Manchester, England. Meanwhile, Volkov is fresh off a unanimous decision win over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Abu Dhabi last month. While a clash between Volkov and Ciryl Gane is reportedly in the works for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi in October, “Drago” claimed to have not received a contract for the bout a week ago.

Meanwhile, lineal champ Jon Jones is currently sidelined with injury and slated to fight former champ Stipe Miocic upon his return. With Miocic having not fought in over three years, Volkov considers the Jones vs. Miocic matchup more of a fantasy fight rather than a real title fight. Volkov recently called for rematch against Aspinall, with a potential win putting him in a title unification bout against “Bones.”

“To save the world, the championship belt and the UFC's reputation I need to beat Aspinall first, then beat Jon Jones and unify the interim and the main heavyweight belts,” Volkov told Match TV (via Red Corner MMA).

Aspinall scored a first-round submission win over Volkov in their initial encounter at UFC London in March 2022. While “Honey Badger” doesn’t underestimate Volkov in any way, the Brit believes he can dispatch the Russian in the first round yet again in a potential rematch.

“It didn’t go that well for him the first time,” Aspinall told Red Corner MMA. “Well, I don’t know, if it happens, it happens. I’m open to any fight. I’ve never turned a fight down in my life. Volkov’s a solid guy, a solid opponent. I beat him in the first round last time, and I think I can beat him in the first round again. That’s no disrespect to Volkov. I think he’s solid, but I just think I’m better than him. But again, as I always say, heavyweight MMA, it’s no two fights that are the same. He definitely has the skills to beat me. I’m not saying anything bad about him. But I think skill for skill, I’m head and shoulders above him. No disrespect to him, I like him, but that’s my opinion.”

Aspinall also spoke about his liking for Russian fighters in general, which primarily stems from the “respectful” attitude he has seen in them.

“From my personal experience with Russians, I just find them really respectful, really positive and just nice genuine people to get along with,” Aspinall said. “As I said, I’m not speaking of anybody else’s experience, that’s my experience. And as fighters, they’re just solid. They’re good everywhere. They’re all lifelong martial artists like me, the ones who I fought are anyway. And just like solid respectful human beings from my experience at least.”

Reference: https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Tom-Aspinall-Responds-to-Alexander-Volkovs-Callout-I-Just-Think-Im-Better-Than-Him-194399