Alexander Volkanovski goes to await the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway.
Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) defended his featherweight title 5 instances earlier than getting dethroned by Topuria at UFC 298. He’s coming off back-to-back knockout losses to light-weight champion Islam Makhachev and Topuria.
“I advised them I wished a break, as I’ve been having, so I wished to combat in all probability later within the 12 months, they usually stated they could be doing that (Topuria vs. Holloway), and I assumed it could have been a bit bit earlier, but it surely ended up being a date the place I used to be like, I may’ve possibly come again right here,” Volkanovski advised Sky Sports activities New Zealand.
“Every thing might be getting pushed again a few months additional than I in all probability would’ve favored, however on the similar time, I can’t be energetic and simply combat anyone, or I can anticipate the title. What will get me off the bed, only a contender at featherweight might be going to be laborious.”
Volkanovski floated the concept of taking a combat at light-weight whereas Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) defends his title in opposition to Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) Oct. 26 within the UFC 308 headliner in Abu Dhabi, however he’s now modified his thoughts. “The Nice” says the UFC is on board with him getting a title combat in his return and doesn’t need to threat shedding his shot.
“Yeah, for positive (you may anticipate me to combat the winner of that combat). That’s precisely what’s occurring,” Volkanovski stated. “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 it clear, and clearly that’s in all probability what I’m going to do.
“I may’ve possibly achieved a light-weight combat. I believe there’s a number of thrilling fights there, however the UFC aren’t huge followers of floating (between weights). They go, ‘Look, you need to go to light-weight, you’re going to have to remain there,’ after which I would lose that featherweight title shot. It’s solely a few months. I’m positive I’ll be high-quality.”
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