Cigano returns to the Octagon against Alexander Volkov in November, says website

J. Cigano (left) faces A. Volkov in November. Photo: Montage SL/MMA Press

The Brazilian junior gypsy He will have another chance to resume his career in pursuit of his dream of regaining his heavyweight belt (up to 120,2kg). After suffering a quick defeat to the feared Francis Ngannou, at the end of June, the Santa Catarina native will have a new challenge ahead. Dos Santos will face the Russian Alexander Volkov in the main fight of UFC Moscow, on November 9th. The information was released by the website 'TASS'. Both athletes are coming off defeats in their last appearances.

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Both the Russian and the Brazilian need to win to return to the division's elite. Although they still remain in the top five in the category, a new defeat could cause one of the athletes to fall and make it difficult to fight for a new chance to fight for the belt.

Cigano has experienced ups and downs in his career since he lost his Ultimate title in 2012. Between 2012 and 2017, despite having appeared in three situations in the fight for the belt, the fighter, in seven appearances, won only three. From 2018 onwards, however, the Santa Catarina native managed to amend three consecutive victories and managed to revive his fans.

After hitting Blagoy Ivanov, Tai tuivasa and the giant Derrick Lewis, the UFC board decided to promote a fight between giants. The company scheduled the duel between Cigano and the charismatic and dangerous, Francis Ngannou. Known for his aggressiveness and high knockout power, in the fight, valid for UFC Minneapolis, after just over a minute of tension, Júnior ended up being surprised by Francis' enormous strength and was knocked out in the first round.

Before that, in the week before the event, the Brazilian had stated his desire to have more than three fights a year. Even after the setback, Cigano said that the plan remained, and only by winning could he return to the top of the category and once again become a potential challenger.

New opponent Volkov also had a good winning streak interrupted. The athlete, who signed a contract with the UFC in 2016, had four consecutive victories within the organization, but ended up being surprised by Lewis in October last year and lost by knockout, at UFC 229. Since then, Alexander has not acted.

Currently, Cigano occupies third place in the category ranking, while the Russian is in fifth.