UFC Announces Blaydes vs. Volkov Will Remain Headliner for June 20 Card

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A heavyweight clash pitting Curtis Blaydes against Alexander Volkov is still the scheduled main event for the UFC event on June 20.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced the bout during the UFC on ESPN 9 broadcast on Saturday night. Blaydes and Volkov were initially scheduled to square off in the main event of UFC Saskatoon on the same date before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to change its plans. The June 20 card is now expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Dana White confirmed at Saturday’s post-fight press conference.

What’s currently unclear about the booking is Volkov’s ability to travel into the the U.S. due to travel restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic. The 31-year-old Strela Team representative is based in Russia and might be more likely to be able to compete on a UFC “Fight Island” card.

Blaydes enters the matchup on a three-bout winning streak after earning successive victories against Justin Willis, Shamil Abdurakhimov and Junior dos Santos. The 29-year-old Elevation Fight Team member is 8-2 with one no contest in UFC competition overall, with both of those defeats coming at the hands of Francis Ngannou.

Volkov has been victorious in five of his first six Octagon appearances. The Moscow native is coming off a unanimous verdict over Greg Hardy at UFC Fight Night 163 this past November and also owns notable victories over the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson.