Alexander Volkov's Take on Josh Hokit's Title Shot

Alexander Volkov offered a candid, albeit sarcastic, perspective on Josh Hokit receiving the next heavyweight title shot. Following Tom Aspinall's vacating the title, the UFC named Ciryl Gane champion, who is set to face Hokit at UFC 334.

Hokit earned his spot with recent victories over Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes in 2026, bypassing contenders like Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich. Volkov suggested that Hokit's unusual public persona might have played a role in securing the opportunity over merit.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Volkov remarked, "I want to be honest with you. I’m very supportive of this fight from the UFC. I have a lot of reasons that this fight should happen because Josh Hokit, from what I know about him, is clearly dealing with some mental illness. So, it’s very admirable for UFC to put a guy with a serious mental condition in a title shot."

"Of course he should go in front of me. Guys with this kind of reason should fight first," Volkov continued. "For him, it’s not possible to beat somebody in the Top 5 right now, so this is the easiest way for an American Heavyweight to get a title shot. It’s an incredibly inspiring story of a guy with mental illness who can fight for the Heavyweight title. I very much support UFC with that. It’s a noble thing for UFC to do for him with his mental problem." (via MMA Mania)

Volkov himself secured consecutive wins against Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Jailton Almeida after a contested loss to Gane at UFC 310.

Alexander Volkov's Take on Josh Hokit's Title Shot

Alexander Volkov offered a candid, albeit sarcastic, perspective on Josh Hokit receiving the next heavyweight title shot. Following Tom Aspinall's vacating the title, the UFC named Ciryl Gane champion, who is set to face Hokit at UFC 334.

Hokit earned his spot with recent victories over Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes in 2026, bypassing contenders like Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich. Volkov suggested that Hokit's unusual public persona might have played a role in securing the opportunity over merit.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Volkov remarked, "I want to be honest with you. I’m very supportive of this fight from the UFC. I have a lot of reasons that this fight should happen because Josh Hokit, from what I know about him, is clearly dealing with some mental illness. So, it’s very admirable for UFC to put a guy with a serious mental condition in a title shot."

"Of course he should go in front of me. Guys with this kind of reason should fight first," Volkov continued. "For him, it’s not possible to beat somebody in the Top 5 right now, so this is the easiest way for an American Heavyweight to get a title shot. It’s an incredibly inspiring story of a guy with mental illness who can fight for the Heavyweight title. I very much support UFC with that. It’s a noble thing for UFC to do for him with his mental problem." (via MMA Mania)

Volkov himself secured consecutive wins against Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Jailton Almeida after a contested loss to Gane at UFC 310.