Alexander Volkanovski solely has eyes on getting the UFC featherweight title again.
The longtime champion at 145 kilos has been content material to sit down 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 battle the winner of Topuria’s Oct. 26 title protection in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 308 is the proper transfer.
“That’s precisely what’s occurring,” Volkanovski mentioned. “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 perhaps completed a light-weight battle, I feel there’s loads of thrilling fights there, however the UFC aren’t huge followers of floating. Look, you need to go to light-weight, you’re going to need to 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 positive.”
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 doubtless e book any variety of marquee matchups at 155 kilos, he’s not leaving the featherweight division with out another title battle.
So does he count on to rematch Ilia, or face Holloway a fourh time after incomes three earlier victories over “Blessed?”
“Who would I quite battle?” Volkanovski mentioned. “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 nicely.
“And who do I feel goes to win? Most likely Max. However once more, it’s a troublesome battle. Ilia’s acquired some arms 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 by that battle, however I feel Max is simply going to be a little bit bit an excessive amount of for Ilia. But when Ilia walks by 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 tip of the yr, however because it stands he’s positive 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 informed them I wished the break as I’ve been having, so I wished to battle most likely later within the yr they usually mentioned they could 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, ‘Properly, I might have perhaps come again right here.’ However no matter, so every thing might be going to get pushed again a few months additional than I’d have preferred, however on the similar time I can’t be lively and simply battle anyone, or I can simply await the title.”
“What will get me away from bed, only a contender battle at featherweight?” Volkanovski added. “It’s most likely going to be laborious. Look, I like to be lively, however on the similar time I want the proper fights. It’s simple to be lively and get the proper fights whilst you’re champion since you’re defending in opposition to the No. 1 contenders. Very, very simple to remain lively and have vital fights. However me simply taking a battle simply to remain busy, it simply doesn’t make sense.”
