Onetime Bellator MMA heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov is set to return to the ring where he got his start.
Russian organization M-1 Global on Tuesday announced that it has signed the 27-year-old, 6-foot-7 fighter to “an exclusive promotional contract.” Specifics of the deal were not disclosed.
Volkov will be thrust straight into the title picture at Feb. 19’s M-1 Challenge 64, where “Drago” will fight Denis Smoldarev for the company’s vacant heavyweight championship. The belt was recently vacated by Polish prospect Marcin Tybura, who is reportedly pursuing a contract with the UFC.