Copyright Yardbarker
Not the smallest heavyweight himself, Tom Aspinall claims the promotion’s most statuesque fighter is actually even bigger than they are currently billed. Putting his undisputed heavyweight crown on the line this weekend at UFC 321, British star Tom Aspinall will finally meet French contender Ciryl Gane, with the duo on a collision course since their Octagon bows. And running roughshod through a whole host of contenders during his initial rise to championship gold, Aspinall actually fought the tallest fighter currently on the promotion’s books. But in a sizable revelation, Aspinall claims the Russian star in question is even taller than he is billed by UFC officials. Tom Aspinall reveals Alexander Volkov’s true height is ‘freak show’-like Taking on former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov three years ago, Aspinall may actually have taken on the Russian standout this weekend in place of Gane, if not for a dubious judging result. And making light work of the sizable star, Aspinall turned in a dominant opening round armbar win over Volkov in their UFC Fight Night London headliner, sending Volkov out of the list of heavyweight elites. However, playing up a future rematch with Volkov should both emerge from UFC 321 with wins, Aspinall claimed the billing of the former at 6ft 7in is actually incorrect, on some good authority, too. “I knew how good he (Alexander Volkov) was when I was fighting him,” Aspinall told TNT Sports. “Do you know what I mean? I knew he was really good — he’s the tallest guy in the UFC. “He’s 6-7 (6ft 7in), that actually isn’t true,” Aspinall revealed. “He’s actually 6ft 9in. I’m putting that out there. Yeah, his manager told me he didn’t want to seem like a freak show. But he’s 6ft 9in. He’s really, really tall. Really ranging, loads of experience.” The tallest fighter in UFC history Despite boasting the status as the current tallest fighter on the promotion’s roster, Volkov falls just shy of the all-time record for the tallest combatant to enter the Octagon. That accolade goes to another European star, in fact, in the form of former heavyweight contender Stefan Struve. The sizable Dutch striker stands at a monstrous 7ft, and during his memorable run in the promotion, landed notable wins over the likes of former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, as well as Minotauro Nogueira, as well as ‘Bigfoot’ Silva.
