Alexander Volkanovski solely has eyes on getting the UFC featherweight title again.
The longtime champion at 145 kilos has been content material to take a seat on the sidelines for a lot of 2024 following a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 this previous February. That defeat ended Volkanovski’s four-year reign atop the division and raised questions as to what can be subsequent for him, provided that he has now misplaced three of his previous 4 fights (together with two failed makes an attempt to wrest the light-weight title from Islam Makhachev).
Volkanovski informed Sky Sports activities New Zealand that he’s assured ready for an opportunity to combat the winner of Topuria’s Oct. 26 title protection towards Max Holloway at UFC 308 is the fitting transfer.
“That’s precisely what’s taking place,” Volkanovski stated. “So I can wait or if I don’t need to wait, I can do one thing else. Or simply wait, and the UFC has made that clear. Clearly, that’s most likely what I’m going to do.
“I might have possibly performed a light-weight combat, I believe there’s a number of thrilling fights there, however the UFC aren’t large followers of floating. Look, you need to go to light-weight, you’re going to must most likely keep there, that’s the one factor, after which I’d lose that featherweight title shot. So I’d simply have to attend. It’s solely a few months, I’m certain I’ll be nice.”
Although Volkanovski was defeated twice by Makhachev, their first encounter at UFC 284 was an exciting five-round encounter that Makhachev edged out on the scorecards. Even when Volkanovski might seemingly e-book any variety of marquee matchups at 155 kilos, he’s not leaving the featherweight division with out another title combat.
So does he anticipate to rematch Ilia, or face Holloway a fourh time after incomes three earlier victories over “Blessed?”
“Who would I fairly combat?” Volkanovski stated. “Clearly, Ilia’s acquired that one over me. I would like that again. However on the finish of the day, I would like that belt again as effectively.
“And who do I believe goes to win? Most likely Max. However once more, it’s a troublesome combat. Ilia’s acquired some fingers on him, he’s not simply shook, he’s going to come back ahead, he’s going to be on the lookout for the end the entire means by means of that combat, however I believe Max is simply going to be somewhat bit an excessive amount of for Ilia. But when Ilia walks by means of him, he’s confirmed himself, however then I’m simply going to take it again off him anyway.”
Had Topuria vs. Holloway been booked earlier than the ultimate quarter of 2024, there’s an opportunity Volkanovski might have fought for the title earlier than the top of the yr, however because it stands he’s nice with how occasions performed out. One factor he had made up his thoughts about is that he wouldn’t accept preventing only for the sake of preventing.
“I used to be clearly conscious of that [matchup] earlier on,” Volkanovski stated. “I informed them I needed the break as I’ve been having, so I needed to combat most likely later within the yr they usually stated they is likely to be doing that. I believed it could have been somewhat bit earlier, however it ended up being at a date the place I used to be like, ‘Properly, I might have possibly come again right here.’ However no matter, so all the things might be going to get pushed again a few months additional than I might have preferred, however on the identical time I can’t be energetic and simply combat anyone, or I can simply anticipate the title.”
“What will get me away from bed, only a contender combat at featherweight?” Volkanovski added. “It’s most likely going to be arduous. Look, I like to be energetic, however on the identical time I would like the fitting fights. It’s straightforward to be energetic and get the fitting fights when you’re champion since you’re defending towards the No. 1 contenders. Very, very straightforward to remain energetic and have necessary fights. However me simply taking a combat simply to remain busy, it simply doesn’t make sense.”
