Alexander Volkov isn't holding back his thoughts on the upcoming interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane at UFC White House on June 14. While "Poatan" looks to add a third weight class championship to his legendary resume, Volkov—who considers himself on a six-fight winning streak since a controversial split decision loss to Gane in 2022—sees this matchup as more spectacle than sport.

"It doesn't matter who wins," Volkov told MMA Fighting. "If Ciryl Gane wins, he beats a UFC star and reaches a new media level. If Alex Pereira wins, he claims a third title. Either way, the UFC wins. It won't be a boring fight, but it's not a true title fight—it's more promotional or media-driven."

Volkov, a former Bellator champion, understands why the UFC gave the popular two-division champion this opportunity, but he questions the matchmaking. His main concern? Both fighters are being shielded from wrestling-heavy opponents who could exploit their weaknesses on the ground.

"Gane has never faced real pressure from a wrestler," Volkov explained. "We haven't seen him against someone like Curtis Blaydes who can take him down, hold him there, and deliver ground-and-pound. We saw a little of that in the third round of our fight, but I'm not a wrestler at all. The UFC gives him comfortable opponents. Same with Pereira—we haven't seen him against good wrestlers either. This fight benefits both of them."

Volkov also pointed to Pereira's recent history, noting his controversial loss to Magomed Ankalaev before their rematch. "Pereira is incredibly talented and puts on crazy performances," Volkov said. "But before he won, he lost to Ankalaev. I was in that camp—Ankalaev had broken ribs and was overconfident. Pereira likely knows this, which is why he pushed so hard in the rematch."

As the heavyweight division continues to heat up, Volkov's critique adds fuel to the debate over whether this interim title fight truly represents the best of the division—or just the most marketable matchup.