UFC 321 Shock: Alexander Volkov Obliterates Jailton Almeida – Full Fight Highlights, Results & What’s Next

Alexander Volkov enters UFC 321 on a mission to remind the heavyweight division that experience and precision can still out-gun raw athleticism. The 37-year-old Russian striker (38-11) meets grappling phenom Jailton Almeida today on the ESPN+ pay-per-view main card, with the walkouts expected around 2:40 p.m. ET. Why this matchup matters • Bounce-back narrative: Volkov’s controversial split-decision loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310 snapped a four-fight win streak and ignited fan debate over judging standards. A decisive win tonight could propel “Drago” back into the title conversation. • Clash of styles: Volkov’s 6'7" frame, 80-inch reach and kickboxing volume (landing 4.86 significant strikes per minute) meet Almeida’s smothering top game and 70 percent takedown accuracy. If the Brazilian closes distance early, Volkov’s sprawl-and-brawl defense will be tested. • Heavyweight logjam: With interim champ Tom Aspinall awaiting his next challenger and Ciryl Gane campaigning for a trilogy bout, the winner here positions himself for a marquee booking in early 2026. Key stats & storylines • Striking edge: Volkov lands 57 percent of his strikes and absorbs just 2.7 per minute, the best differential among active top-10 heavyweights. • Grappling gap: Almeida averages 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes; Volkov’s 73 percent takedown defense must hold up over 25 minutes if the bout goes long. • Championship mileage: Tonight marks Volkov’s 50th professional fight, a milestone he calls “the start of my second career” after refining his footwork at Moscow’s Strela gym. What Volkov is saying “I won’t leave this to the judges again. Expect controlled aggression—smart pressure, sharp knees, and elbows in the clinch,” he told reporters on media day. The veteran also praised Almeida’s jiu-jitsu but warned, “One slip and he meets my right kick.” Fan interest & betting odds Odds makers opened Volkov a slight favorite at –150 but late money on Almeida tightened the line to pick-’em Friday night. Social chatter spiked after weigh-ins, with Volkov trending worldwide as #UFC321 fans debated whether his length or Almeida’s ground-and-pound will decide the bout. How to watch • Main card: ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT • Mobile stream: UFC Fight Pass prelims begin 6 p.m. ET • Local viewing: Select Bar & Grill locations nationwide will carry the telecast. Bottom line Alexander Volkov’s striking clinic vs. Jailton Almeida’s relentless wrestling is the purest stylistic chess match on the UFC 321 slate. A highlight-reel stoppage from either man could rewrite the heavyweight rankings by Monday morning, but for Volkov, the stakes feel even larger: silence controversy, reclaim contender status, and prove that savvy striking still rules the big-man class.