Giant Russian Alexander Volkov has inserted himself into the title conversation in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

Volkov, 36, has been knocking on the door of the heavyweight elite since debuting with the organisation in Belfast, Northern Ireland in late 2016. However, his momentum has been stalled somewhat by a range of pivotal defeats to the likes of Derrick Lewis, Curtis Blaydes, Ciryl Gane and Tom Apsinall — each of them fighters who have fought at one point or another for a version of the UFC heavyweight title.

More recently though, Volkov looks to have hit his prime. His current four-fight win streak has tied his best run in the UFC, with his win this past June over compatriot Sergei Pavlovich — another who has fought for an interim heavyweight title — ranking up there with his best victory in the organisation.

At next month’s UFC 310 in Las Vegas, Nevada Volkov gets an opporunity to gain a measure of revenge in a rematch with Frenchman Gane — and with the future of reigning champion Jon Jones still uncertain following his title defence this month against Stipe Miocic, it could well be all to play for among the heavyweight elite.

Check out Volkov’s decision win over Pavlovich in the video below.

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