After not being picked to save the UFC 303 card, Alexander Volkanovski decided to remind the UFC that he is ready to return despite stating that he would take some time off following his loss at UFC 298 earlier this year.
Alexander Volkanovski lost his UFC featherweight title earlier this year at UFC 298 in February, after suffering a devastating second round knockout against Ilia Topuria.
Following the fight, Volkanovski admitted that he was going to take some time off from fighting after suffering his second knockout loss in a row.
Despite that, when the former champion caught wind that Conor McGregor was out of his scheduled UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler, ‘The Great’ put his name in the hat to save the event.
Alexander Volkanovski provides return update as he makes surprising callout
Although the promotion opted with a title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka instead, Volkanovski made it clear to the UFC brass that he is ready to return to action.
The former champion has already had meetings with the UFC in regard to his return, and he has reportedly been told that if he is willing to wait, then his first fight back could be for the UFC featherweight title.
That, though, doesn’t work with Volk’s plans. Ilia Topuria is likely set to defend his 145lb title against current ‘BMF’ champion, Max Holloway, next in a fight that will likely take place at the backend of the year.
Instead of waiting till 2025 for his title fight, ‘The Great’ wants to fight again before the year is out, and has a surprising opponent in mind.
“I’ve heard Ilia and Max is confirmed so I need to talk with the UFC and see what’s going on. I’d said I wanted some time off and the UFC wanted me to take some time off, so if that fight is made I need to be ok with that,” Volkanovski told Fox Sports Australia.
“But if they are going to do Ilia and Max, I just hoped it would be earlier because I want to fight this year, I don’t want to wait. So if there is no title fight, until next year then I need something exciting, maybe Charles Oliveira,” Volkanovski stated.
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Volkanovski ‘guarantees’ that the UFC aren’t happy with Topuria
Charles Oliveira is also in a precarious position after losing a split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 this past April.
‘The Great’ Volkanovski has admitted that he would be in risk of losing his featherweight title shot by fighting the former lightweight champion, but he would rather do that than sitting out and waiting.
“Of course (it’s a risk), but I’d rather take that risk than wait around. What happens if you wait around and fall off the edge? If all of a sudden you’re 36 and literally it goes. I still feel great but there is a risk of that.
“Or maybe I wait it out, get injured and then suddenly you haven’t fought in two years,” Volk added.
The Australian also claimed that the UFC are likely not happy with ‘El Matador’ for the way he has been going on online regarding not fighting certain contenders and chasing a fight against Conor McGregor.
“Then you’ve got Topuria saying he doesn’t want to fight this guy, doesn’t want to fight that guy… he doesn’t want to fight any of the top guys. So sure, play the bad guy.
“But what he’s doing, I guarantee the UFC aren’t happy with it. Especially him saying he doesn’t want to fight anyone but Conor McGregor. Come on mate, stay in your f****** lane,” the former champion jabbed.