Alexander Volkov has clarified the viral incident at the UFC 333 pre-fight news conference, asserting that UFC President Dana White genuinely did not recognize him when the heavyweight stepped up to the microphone. The 40-year-old fighter, who has been a staple of the UFC roster for a decade, revealed on *The Ariel Helwani Show* that he devised the plan after noticing his absence from the official press conference lineup despite his main card bout against Rizvan Kuniev. “I see they don’t have me on the press conference again, the same as the last three fights,” Volkov stated, highlighting a recurring frustration with his media exposure compared to other top-ranked fighters.
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Volkov detailed his unconventional approach, explaining that he entered the Emirates Arena through the regular fan gate rather than the media entrance. He spent time taking photos with local fans in Abu Dhabi, a region where he enjoys significant popularity, before joining the media line to ask questions of featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and White. This tactic allowed him to bypass the curated list of journalists and athletes, placing him directly in front of White, who appeared visibly confused by the unexpected query from a veteran he should have known by name.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on White’s relationship with long-tenured fighters, fueling narratives that the UFC president prioritizes newer stars or specific narratives over established veterans. While White’s reaction sparked immediate debate on social media, Volkov maintains that the moment was a lighthearted attempt to secure attention for his upcoming fight. By leveraging his local fanbase and bypassing standard protocols, Volkov not only highlighted his exclusion from official media channels but also forced a public acknowledgment of his presence, turning a potential oversight into a significant promotional moment for his UFC 333 debut in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Yahoo Sports
