Volkov and Pavlovich realize they were tricked into fighting each other

UFC Saudi Arabia, which takes place tomorrow afternoon (Sat., June 22, 2024) inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, features a Heavyweight showdown between Russian Heavyweight contenders (and sometimes training partners) Alexander Volkov vs. Sergei Pavlovich.

Neither fighter was too interested in the fight … until they heard the other guy accepted it first. The only problem? Both man deny doing that.

A somewhat heated exchange between Pavlovich and Volkov at the ceremonial weigh-ins devolved into confusion as the two talked to each other about the situation.

“Sergei, why did you say I was the first one to take this fight?” Volkov said in Russian.

“But you did,” Pavlovich replied. “Did you forget?”

“No, you said that you would not fight me if I refused to fight you,” Volkov countered.

“That’s not a no, is it?” Sergei said.

“I would not have taken the fight, either,” Volkov exclaimed. “They asked me, they said you accepted it!”

“I don’t know what you guys are talking about,” UFC CEO, Dana White, said with a laugh as he stepped between the two and separated them.

The Volkov vs. Pavlovich fight almost fell apart after both men initially resisted the booking, with an insider noting they were friends and occasional training partners. Did UFC twist the truth slightly when it came to detailing who accepted what to push the booking through?

It certainly wouldn’t surprise us, given what we know of their matchmaking tactics.

Pavlovich is currently ranked No. 3 at Heavyweight, while Volkov sits at No. 5. A fight between the two makes a lot of sense, even if neither of them likes it very much. We’ll see who comes out on top between the friends when UFC Saudi Arabia card kicks off on ABC Saturday afternoon.

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Saudi Arabia fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance (on ABC/ESPN+) at 3 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Saudi Arabia: “Whittaker vs. Aliskerov” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.