Sergei Pavlovich & Alexander Volkov Reportedly Caught Off Guard By UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Announcement

The MMA community was elated at hearing the announcement of fights that will take place on the June 22 edition of UFC Fight Night - the first-ever UFC card to take place in Saudi Arabia.

One of the announced bouts, a heavyweight contest featuring former interim title challenger Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, however, looks like it's already in jeopardy.

According to Russian media outlet Red Fury MMA, both fighters and their camps were caught off guard by the announcement and may be looking to not fight each other.

Pavlovich vs. Volkov Potentially In Trouble After UFC Saudi Arabia Blindside 

Furthermore, a source told RingSide24 that Pavlovich and Volkov, two Russians, would not want to fight unless they were booked for a title fight or a title eliminator.

"They are on good terms, periodically train together," the report says. "Now there will be negotiations between the league and managers to have the fight between Volkov and Pavlovich canceled."

Pavlovich has not been in action since coming up short in a heavyweight interim title fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC 295 last November.

Volkov, meanwhile, has won three straight fights, most recently submitting Tai Tuivasa at UFC 293 in September. "Drago" was expected to face Jailton Almeida at UFC 302 earlier in June.

It's unclear why the promotion made the switch, which appears to have taken Volkov and his team by surprise.