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, on condition 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 in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 308 is the precise transfer.
“That’s precisely what’s taking place,” 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 in all probability what I’m going to do.
“I might have perhaps completed a light-weight combat, I believe there’s loads 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 in all probability 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 positive I’ll be superb.”
Although Volkanovski was defeated twice by Makhachev, their first encounter at UFC 284 was an exhilarating five-round encounter that Makhachev edged out on the scorecards. Even when Volkanovski might probably 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 count on to rematch Ilia, or face Holloway a fourh time after incomes three earlier victories over “Blessed?”
“Who would I reasonably combat?” Volkanovski mentioned. “Clearly, Ilia’s received 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? In all probability Max. However once more, it’s a tricky combat. Ilia’s received some arms on him, he’s not simply shook, he’s going to return ahead, he’s going to be on the lookout for the end the entire approach by means of that combat, however I believe Max is simply going to be a bit of 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 tip of the yr, however because it stands he’s superb 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 combat in all probability later within the yr they usually mentioned they is perhaps doing that. I believed it might have been a bit of bit earlier, but it surely ended up being at a date the place I used to be like, ‘Effectively, I might have perhaps come again right here.’ However no matter, so all the things might be going to get pushed again a few months additional than I’d have appreciated, however on the identical time I can’t be energetic and simply combat anyone, or I can simply watch for the title.”
“What will get me away from bed, only a contender combat at featherweight?” Volkanovski added. “It’s in all probability going to be arduous. Look, I like to be energetic, however on the identical time I want the precise fights. It’s simple to be energetic and get the precise fights whilst you’re champion since you’re defending in opposition to the No. 1 contenders. Very, very simple to remain energetic and have vital fights. However me simply taking a combat simply to remain busy, it simply doesn’t make sense.”