Dana White Quizzes Volkov on Age at UFC 333 Presser

Alexander Volkov crashed the UFC 333 press conference posing as a media member and wound up in an awkward exchange with Dana White, who appeared not to recognize his own top-five heavyweight contender.

Volkov, ranked among the UFC's top heavyweight contenders, stood up during the press event ahead of Saturday's card in Abu Dhabi and asked Dana White what it would take to land a title shot. White responded by asking about his fighting resume. Volkov told him he's gone 20 fights inside the UFC and 51 overall. When White followed up by asking his age, Volkov said he's 38, and White responded by asking if he was 28, appearing confused before Alexander Volkanovski stepped in and reportedly told White who he was actually talking to.

White laughed off the moment afterward, claiming he knew all along it was Volkov asking the questions. "He thought I didn't know," White said. "He's trying to help me out." Not everyone bought the explanation, with fans online quickly accusing White of genuinely having no idea who Volkov was.

Earlier in the presser, Volkov also needled Alexander Volkanovski, jokingly asking the featherweight champion what it takes to become a UFC titleholder. Volkanovski played along and told him he was on the right track.

What Volkov Actually Asked Dana White

Volkov used his moment at the microphone to push his own case for a heavyweight title shot. He asked White what it would take to get a crack at the winner of the Ciryl Gane-Josh Hokit heavyweight title fight set for UFC 334 on November 14. White told him to take that conversation to UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, a standard answer but one that keeps Volkov firmly in the conversation at 265 pounds.

Why This Matters for Volkov's Title Chase

Volkov fights Rizvan Kuniev on the UFC 333 main card this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, and a win keeps his path toward a heavyweight title shot alive. Win a finish and the pressure on the UFC to find him a spot against the Gane-Hokit winner becomes harder to ignore, regardless of whether White can pick him out of a lineup. For bettors, Volkov enters as a veteran with nearly 20 UFC appearances and a reputation for durability and output on the feet, and the Kuniev fight reads as a clear measuring-stick bout. If Volkov is favored, as his resume and ranking would suggest, the bigger line value may be in how he wins rather than whether he wins, given his tendency to go the distance against durable opponents. A statement finish would also be the kind of moment the UFC could use to fast-track him into bigger odds markets heading into early 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened between Alexander Volkov and Dana White at UFC 333?

Alexander Volkov posed as a media member at the UFC 333 press conference and asked Dana White about a heavyweight title shot, leading to an awkward exchange where White appeared not to recognize him and questioned his age after Volkov said he was 38.

Who is Alexander Volkov fighting at UFC 333?

Alexander Volkov faces Rizvan Kuniev on the UFC 333 main card in Abu Dhabi, with a win potentially moving him closer to a heavyweight title opportunity.

What did Dana White say about not recognizing Alexander Volkov?

Dana White claimed he knew it was Alexander Volkov asking questions the whole time, saying "He thought I didn't know... He's trying to help me out," though many fans were skeptical of that explanation.