Volkov asks about a title shot as a 'reporter' – Dana White looks puzzled
The No. 4 heavyweight steps up to the mic at the UFC 333 press conference. White asks about his record – until Volkanovski helps out.
Archive image · Photo: S.Troshchenko / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
An odd moment at the UFC 333 press conference in Abu Dhabi: Alexander Volkov, the No. 4 UFC heavyweight according to MMA Junkie, stepped up to the microphone during the Q&A and asked: "What should I do to become a UFC champion?" UFC CEO Dana White asked back: "How many fights do you have?" – "Fifty-one total and 20 in UFC," Volkov answered. White: "So what are you looking for? What do you need, sir? How can we help you?"
According to MMA Junkie, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski whispered in White's ear who was asking; White laughed the moment off as if he had recognised Volkov all along. According to SI, White referred the Russian to matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard. On social media the moment drew mockery of White.
Volkov (40-11) has won three of his last four fights, according to SI, most recently a decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328 in May. On Saturday he faces No. 5 Rizvan Kuniev on the UFC 333 main card.