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UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev continues on the main card with a fight between Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev in the heavyweight division. Check out our UFC 333 odds series for our Volkov-Kuniev prediction and pick.
lexander Volkov (40-11) defeated Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision at UFC 328 on May 9. He has won two straight and six of his last seven, including an October 2025 split decision over Jailton Almeida, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Rizvan Kuniev.
Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1, 1 NC) stopped Tyrell Fortune by third-round TKO on July 25 to build his momentum. After dropping a split decision to Curtis Blaydes in his June 2025 debut, he beat Jailton Almeida and Fortune, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Alexander Volkov.
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UFC 333 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings
UFC 333 Odds: Alexander Volkov-Rizvan Kuniev Odds
Alexander Volkov: -122
Rizvan Kuniev: +102
Over 2.5 rounds: -250
Under 2.5 rounds: +190
Why Alexander Volkov Will Win
Alexander Volkov is a master of utilizing his massive six-foot-seven frame and eighty-inch reach to dismantle shorter heavyweights from the outside. Landing nearly five significant strikes per minute, he uses long front kicks to the body, heavy jabs, and sweeping calf kicks to control the geography of the Octagon.
Over his fifty-one professional bouts, the Russian veteran has significantly improved his takedown defense and clinch awareness, as shown in his recent triumph over grappling specialist Jailton Almeida. He knows how to use his long levers to establish underhooks, widen his base against the cage, and punish opponents with knees.
Rizvan Kuniev prefers to work his way inside and grind opponents against the fence, which requires crossing a treacherous kicking range against Volkov. Every time Kuniev attempts to close the four-inch reach gap, he will be met with straight right hands and teep kicks to the midsection.
With superior five-round and main-card experience against the division’s absolute elite, Volkov will not be flustered by physical pressure. He will pick Kuniev apart at distance and cruise to a methodical decision victory.
Why Rizvan Kuniev Will Win
Rizvan Kuniev is a physically imposing, well-rounded heavyweight who knows how to neutralize dangerous strikers by suffocating them in the clinch. Even in his razor-thin split decision loss to Curtis Blaydes, he proved he belongs among the division’s best before reeling off impressive wins over Jailton Almeida and Tyrell Fortune.
Defensively, Kuniev is remarkably sound, absorbing just over two significant strikes per minute while boasting a ninety-four percent takedown defense rate. He keeps a tight guard as he marches forward, slipping past long jabs to crash into chest-to-chest contact where taller fighters lose their leverage.
Against Alexander Volkov, Kuniev will look to replicate the blueprint of heavyweights who have crowded the veteran’s kicking range and pinned him to the fence. Once in the clinch, Kuniev averages over three minutes of control time per fight, wearing opponents down with dirty boxing and heavy knees to the thighs.
In a three-round contest, Kuniev does not need to dominate every exchange on the feet. By closing the distance early, muscling Volkov against the cage, and mixing in timely takedowns, he can grind out a decision win.
Final Alexander Volkov-Rizvan Kuniev Prediction & Pick
This heavyweight main-card clash pits the long-range kickboxing of Alexander Volkov against the compact clinch grinding and physical pressure of Rizvan Kuniev. Both men recently defeated Jailton Almeida by neutralizing his grappling, making this a fascinating battle for top-five positioning.
Kuniev will look to work behind a high guard, absorb or parry the long teep kicks, and force chest-to-chest clinches along the fence. While he has the strength to stall Volkov against the cage for stretches in the opening round, sustaining that pressure for fifteen minutes is a tall order.
Volkov has evolved into a much craftier veteran in close quarters, using his height to lean on opponents, dig underhooks, and create separation. Once back at kicking range, Volkov’s volume and reach advantage will be decisive as he batters Kuniev’s body and head with straight punches.
Kuniev is durable enough to survive the barrage, but Volkov’s consistent output at distance will win the rounds. The pick is Volkov by unanimous decision.
Final Alexander Volkov-Rizvan Kuniev Prediction & Pick: Alexander Volkov (-122), OVER 2.5 Rounds (-250)
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