Volkov vs Kuniev Preview: Can Kuniev Close the Distance on 'Drago'?

At 6'7" with an 80-inch reach, Alexander Volkov makes opponents cover a lot of ground, and closing that distance is the job facing Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It's an all-Russian heavyweight bout between #2 Volkov ("Drago," 40-11), 37, who debuted in the Octagon in November 2016, and #7 Kuniev (14-3-1), 34, who arrived in February 2025.

Volkov holds three inches of height and four of reach over Kuniev, who stands 6'4" with a 76-inch reach. He is also the busier and more accurate striker, landing 4.84 significant strikes a minute at 58% to Kuniev's 4.32 at 55%, and his 54% striking defense edges Kuniev's 49%. Yet Kuniev absorbs fewer, 2.22 a minute to Volkov's 2.90, and by one measure hits harder, with a 0.52 knockdown average to Volkov's 0.22. Neither leans on wrestling: Volkov averages 0.54 takedowns per 15 minutes and Kuniev 0.79, though Kuniev's 94% takedown defense is far sturdier than Volkov's 69%.

The real split shows up in where they do their damage. Volkov is a range fighter: 82% of his significant strikes come at distance, 12% in the clinch and 7% on the ground. Kuniev lands only 56% of his at range, with 31% in the clinch and 13% on the mat. Both can end fights. Volkov owns 24 knockout wins, 60% of his victories, plus four submissions and 17 first-round finishes. Kuniev has seven knockouts, half of his wins, along with two submissions and four first-round finishes. Average fight time is 13:09 for Volkov and 11:26 for Kuniev. It all hinges on one question: can Kuniev get past that reach and turn this into a clinch fight, or will Volkov keep him at the end of those long arms all night?

UFC 333 starts at 6 p.m. local time with the early prelims, followed by the prelims at 8 p.m. and the main card at 10 p.m. Two top-10 heavyweights with 31 knockout wins between them are worth seeing in person. Get your seat: Volkov vs Kuniev tickets.