White Maintains He Knew Volkov During UFC 333 Presser

Dana White insists he knew Alexander Volkov was posing as a reporter when the heavyweight crashed the UFC 333 press conference.

Volkov appeared at Thursday's media event with questions for featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and White, per BJPenn.com. He asked Volkanovski what it takes to become a UFC champion, then turned to White seeking clarity on his heavyweight title path. White appeared confused during the exchange, asking Volkov for his resume and seeming uncertain about his age — 38, not 28 as White initially suggested — before Volkanovski stepped in to help.

White said afterward he was playing along the entire time. "He thought I didn't know," White said, laughing. "He's trying to help me out." Social media reaction split on the claim, with some fans questioning whether the UFC boss genuinely failed to recognize his own top heavyweight contender with 20 UFC fights.

Volkov asked what it would take to earn a shot at the winner of Ciryl Gane versus Josh Hokit, scheduled for UFC 334 on Nov. 14. White directed him to matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard.

Volkov faces Rizvan Kuniev on Saturday's UFC 333 main card in Abu Dhabi. A win could position him for that heavyweight title opportunity.