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 advised Sky Sports activities New Zealand that he’s assured ready for an opportunity to struggle the winner of Topuria’s Oct. 26 title protection in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 308 is the suitable transfer.
“That’s precisely what’s taking place,” Volkanovski mentioned. “So I can wait or if I don’t wish 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 may have perhaps accomplished a light-weight struggle, I feel there’s a whole lot of thrilling fights there, however the UFC aren’t large followers of floating. Look, you wish to go to light-weight, you’re going to should 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 may possible guide any variety of marquee matchups at 155 kilos, he’s not leaving the featherweight division with out yet another title struggle.
So does he count on to rematch Ilia, or face Holloway a fourh time after incomes three earlier victories over “Blessed?”
“Who would I reasonably struggle?” Volkanovski mentioned. “Clearly, Ilia’s bought that one over me. I would like that again. However on the finish of the day, I would like that belt again as properly.
“And who do I feel goes to win? In all probability Max. However once more, it’s a troublesome struggle. Ilia’s bought some fingers on him, he’s not simply shook, he’s going to return ahead, he’s going to be in search of the end the entire method via that struggle, however I feel Max is simply going to be a little bit bit an excessive amount of for Ilia. But when Ilia walks via 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 may have fought for the title earlier than the tip 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 combating only for the sake of combating.
“I used to be clearly conscious of that [matchup] earlier on,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I advised them I wished the break as I’ve been having, so I wished to struggle most likely later within the yr and so they mentioned they is likely to be doing that. I assumed it will have been a little bit bit earlier, however it ended up being at a date the place I used to be like, ‘Effectively, I may have perhaps come again right here.’ However no matter, so all the pieces might be going to get pushed again a few months additional than I might have preferred, however on the similar time I can’t be energetic and simply struggle anyone, or I can simply await the title.”
“What will get me off the bed, only a contender struggle at featherweight?” Volkanovski added. “It’s most likely going to be exhausting. Look, I like to be energetic, however on the similar time I would like the suitable fights. It’s straightforward to be energetic and get the suitable fights whilst you’re champion since you’re defending in opposition to the No. 1 contenders. Very, very straightforward to remain energetic and have necessary fights. However me simply taking a struggle simply to remain busy, it simply doesn’t make sense.”
