Top 10-ranked UFC Heavyweights will collide at UFC 328.
According to a first report from Leo Guimares, Heavyweight contenders Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta will collide at UFC 328, which is scheduled for May 9 inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Currently, it’s the highest profile bout announced for the still-developing fight card, which will also host matchups like Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz and Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa.
Despite his No. 2 ranking, Alexander Volkov’s career is in a strange spot right now as his last two fights ended via split-decision. It’s widely agreed that Volkov was robbed in the rematch versus Ciryl Gane — ask Dana White! — but he followed that up with an absolute stinker against Jailton Almeida that neither man truly won. Still, had the Gane decision gone his way, Volkov would be riding a six-fight win streak right now, so he deserves to be in immediate contention.
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As for Cortes-Acosta, “Salsa Boy” has changed his position on the roster dramatically in the last year. By fighting frequently and getting more aggressive in the cage, the Dominican contender has quickly proven himself a contender and rebounded well from last year’s defeat to Sergei Pavlovich. He’s won three straight via knockout, and one more win could earn him a title shot.
Sadly, the Heavyweight division remains an uncertain mess at the top level. Champion Tom Aspinall remains sidelined indefinitely by eye injuries, while rumors of Ciryl Gane vs. Alex Pereira and Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira run wild. Until one or none of those bookings are confirmed, the title picture will remain unclear.
It is certain, however, that the winner of this matchup will be in pretty good position moving forward.
