Former UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, has given an update on his potential return later this year, shutting down Joe Rogan’s recent claims.
Alexander Volkanovski is taking some well-needed time off before he returns to action, following his brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in February at UFC 298.
Volkanovski’s decision to make such a short turnaround – after being knocked out by Islam Makhachev only four months prior – was questioned by fans and experts, but ‘The Great’ admitted that it was because he needed something to focus on as he was feeling mentally low.
Joe Rogan claimed Ilia Topuria was offered UFC 305 rematch with Volkanovski
UFC 305 takes place in Perth, Western Australia, on August 18th, and with Volkanovski having been the face of Australian MMA for several years now, it seemed likely that he would fight in his home country.
UFC commentator, Joe Rogan recently welcomed Max Holloway onto his podcast following Holloway’s blockbuster win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Since his emphatic win, ‘Blessed’ has been locked into a feud with featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, with that seemingly the next fight for both 145lbers’.
Despite that, Joe Rogan claimed that Ilia Topuria was offered to defend his title at UFC 305, in a rematch with Volkanovski, but turned it down because he didn’t feel it was necessary to defend his strap in enemy territory.
‘El Matador’ has since responded to Rogan’s claims stating in a post on X, “I never turned down the rematch with Alex as the UFC has never offered me this fight. As I’ve said many times before, I will be the first to knockout Holloway.”
Alexander denies being offered UFC 305 and gives a return update
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The Australian stated that he was asked if he’d fight on the Perth card, but admitted that nothing concrete was offered to him by the UFC.
“Obviously questions were asked about whether I was going to fight on the Perth card.” Volkanovski told Main Event.
“Even (Topuria) was getting asked questions about it, he did interviews, I reckon that’s where Joe Rogan got this, whether he had inside information I don’t know. (Topuria) was like ‘why would I go there in enemy territory and fight someone I’m the champ’, so whether that’s what Joe Rogan was going off, or he’s got inside information, but nothing was ever brought to me.” the 35-year-old admitted.
Volkanovski went on to give an update on when he’s hoping to return to the Octagon, highlighting the end of the year for his return date.
“I’ve been talking to the UFC and I’ve made it clear that I want to fight later in the year and give myself a bit of a break, I know (UFC 305) is later in the year, but maybe that little bit later.” Volkanovski finished.