Following back-to-back losses to Tony Johnson and Cheick Kongo, Volkov found himself out of the promotion, something he said was a surprise. In fact, Volkov said that he heard about his release through the news, not from any Bellator official.
“Just after the two losses, we had a talk with Bellator,” Volkov told MMAjunkie. “They told us that everything was OK, to continue life as a Bellator fighter. But after some months, I received news that I was fired from the organization. I heard it on the news, not from the organization itself. I really think that the organization wants to have other people like (Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson) who are showmen, not fighters. My main problem is the lack of PR and marketing – a lack of attention within the U.S. market.”
Volkov has signed a two-fight deal with Russian promotion M-1 and will compete for the heavyweight title against Denis Smoldarev (11-1) at M-1 Challenge 64, which takes place Feb. 19 at Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow.
While his sights are set on capturing a new belt and figuring out his next move, the 27-year-old can’t seem to get past his frustration over Ferguson’s place in Bellator.
“By no means do I think (Kimbo Slice is) a professional,” Volkov said. “I really think that it’s wrong to put on shows like that. I think that every MMA fan knows that neither Kimbo or his opponent would have a chance against me inside a cage. It’s not sports. This is a pure show, and sports lose out from that sort of thing.”
One of Volkov’s biggest career victories was his Bellator 120 win over Blagoy Ivanov. It was Ivanov’s lone career defeat and he has since moved on to capture the WSOF heavyweight title.
When asked about his interest level in a rematch, Volkov said he has his sights on bigger career goals.
“Right now, frankly, I’m more interested in a UFC belt, out of the American organizations,” he said. “I’ll think about my career after I fulfill my two fights in M-1. The UFC is the target, of course. But I don’t want to go there as just another fighter. I want to go there with a meaningful belt. I’m a young fighter, and I wish to take two steps forward, not two steps back. I want to move my career forward.”
“Just after the two losses, we had a talk with Bellator,” Volkov told MMAjunkie. “They told us that everything was OK, to continue life as a Bellator fighter. But after some months, I received news that I was fired from the organization. I heard it on the news, not from the organization itself. I really think that the organization wants to have other people like (Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson) who are showmen, not fighters. My main problem is the lack of PR and marketing – a lack of attention within the U.S. market.”
Volkov has signed a two-fight deal with Russian promotion M-1 and will compete for the heavyweight title against Denis Smoldarev (11-1) at M-1 Challenge 64, which takes place Feb. 19 at Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow.
While his sights are set on capturing a new belt and figuring out his next move, the 27-year-old can’t seem to get past his frustration over Ferguson’s place in Bellator.
“By no means do I think (Kimbo Slice is) a professional,” Volkov said. “I really think that it’s wrong to put on shows like that. I think that every MMA fan knows that neither Kimbo or his opponent would have a chance against me inside a cage. It’s not sports. This is a pure show, and sports lose out from that sort of thing.”
One of Volkov’s biggest career victories was his Bellator 120 win over Blagoy Ivanov. It was Ivanov’s lone career defeat and he has since moved on to capture the WSOF heavyweight title.
When asked about his interest level in a rematch, Volkov said he has his sights on bigger career goals.
“Right now, frankly, I’m more interested in a UFC belt, out of the American organizations,” he said. “I’ll think about my career after I fulfill my two fights in M-1. The UFC is the target, of course. But I don’t want to go there as just another fighter. I want to go there with a meaningful belt. I’m a young fighter, and I wish to take two steps forward, not two steps back. I want to move my career forward.”
