Alexander Volkov on awkward Dana White moment: ‘Of course he didn’t recognize me’
Alexander Volkov remains convinced that Dana White had no idea it was him asking a question at the UFC 333 pre-fight news conference.
White, who’s spent the past 25 years as UFC president, came under fire last week when it appeared he did not recognize Volkov as he pretended to be a member of the media and stepped to the microphone to ask featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and White questions.
On Wednesday, Volkov explained that he came up with the idea once he realized he and opponent Rizvan Kuniev were not included in the UFC 333 press conference lineup despite their fight being on the main card.
"I see they don’t have me on the press conference again, the same as the last three fights," Volkov said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I don’t know why. But people, all fans in Emirates love me. In Abu Dhabi, they love me. I know it. I just go through the regular fan gate in the stadium. I just go in like regular fans, start taking pictures with them, go into the line (with media), and just have some questions for fighters and Dana White."
White’s apparent inability to recognize a top-ranked UFC veteran of 10 years only fueled growing belief that White these days acts mostly as a figurehead who is mentally checked out of UFC dealings while he diverts attention to Power Slap, Zuffa Boxing and his own personal business endeavors.
Despite White playing off the awkward moment like he was aware of what was happening all along, Volkov is certain White knew only after Volkanovski got up to clue him in.
"Of course, he didn’t recognize me," Volkov said. "First of all, I am a Russian fighter. I’m not even sure he can remember my name. And I bet every time he hears my name, he thinks they’re talking about Alexander Volkanovski. But it’s fine. There are like about over 500 or more fighters on the roster, so he doesn’t have to recognize every fighter."
What ‘seriously’ bothers Alexander Volkov about Dana White incident
Volkov entered UFC 333 ranked No. 4 in the Meta UFC heavyweight rankings. After defeating Kuniev by unanimous decision for his third win in a row, he jumped to No. 2 in this week’s rankings.
While he seemingly gives White a pass on not recognizing him, what did bother Volkov was the non-answer he received to his question. Because at the end of the day, all he wants is the next title shot after Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit handle business next month at UFC 334.
"To talk seriously, (White) still didn’t have an answer on my question," Volkov said. "I’m asking, ‘What should I do? What am I supposed to do to get a title fight?’ And they don’t have this answer. Every time if (UFC) can tell me ‘beat this guy, or do this,’ I’ll do it. But then they have to go back on their own words. So they don’t have this answer.
"But people know, and everyone knows, and I feel the support that I should be the next."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Alexander Volkov on awkward Dana White moment: ‘Of course he didn’t recognize me’
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.