“I’m not that old,” said the 33-year-old, who is five years Aspinall’s senior. “I have an advantage in experience, but calling him a younger fighter — our age difference is not that bad. We’re both young, I just have more experience, and I think that’s my advantage — my experience and my way of fighting.
“We all started on different levels and I have only respect for Tom,” said Volkov. “There is no feeling that I’m better than him and I don’t look down on him at all; he’s a great guy.
“I watched his fights, and I think he has a great future in the UFC, and I’m happy to welcome him to the top.”
Not exactly what you’d expect to hear from the visiting heel a couple days ahead of his big main event showdown, but this is mixed martial arts, not professional wrestling, and Volkov is simply a sportsman ready to test himself against another elite competitor this weekend.
That’s been his approach throughout his career, and after alternating wins and losses through his three appearances in 2021, he’s ready to build off his last effort and start 2022 on a positive note this weekend.
“I wasn’t upset much because, to me, defeats are the way to evolve myself and I’m trying to look at the bright side, not focus on the bad things,” he said in regards to his loss to Ciryl Gane in June. “I was quite happy that I fought with Marcin (Tybura) and I was very happy with my performance.
“And this time out I will show my best.”
Don’t miss a single round of UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs Aspinall, live from the O2 Arena in London, on Saturday, March 19 on ESPN+ (US) and UFC Fight Pass (outside the US). Prelims begin at 1pm ET/10am PT. Main card begins at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
