As the UFC featherweight title picture appears to be moving on, Alexander Volkanovski continues to advocate for a ‘Notorious’ superfight.
Former UFC featherweight champion and pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski is in Manchester this week to attend UFC 304, an event headlined by title rematches for welterweight and heavyweight gold.
Whilst there are two fantastic fights on the main card in his 145lb-155lb range, Volkanovski has now offered an update on what’s next regarding his UFC tenure – and he’s not giving up on a ‘Notorious’ return bout.
Alexander Volkanovski says he isn’t done with lightweight just yet
Two of Volkanovski’s last four fights have been up at lightweight and despite both being losses to champion Islam Makhachev, the fan-favorite Australian isn’t quite done with the 155lb division just yet.
Speaking to JNMEDIAUK ahead of the massive PPV event in Manchester, Volkanovski explained that if his next bout isn’t a rematch for the 145lb title, it’ll be against one of the lightweight division’s top contenders.
“Obviously, I want to fight for the title but at the same time, I want fights that excite me – so if it’s not the featherweight title, it’s some of them exciting lightweight fights.”
Four names were thrown out as to who could welcome the New South Wales native back to the lightweight division: Former interim title holders Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, as well as both Michael Chandler and his once-expected next opponent, Conor McGregor.
“It’s hard to get me out of bed if it’s not something like that, there’s some exciting fights there… There’s a lot of exciting fights [available] but nothing booked, no real plans just yet – no real talk of anything so we’ll see what happens.”
Whilst Volkanovski was open to the idea of facing either the ‘Diamond’, ‘Highlight’, or ‘Iron’ in the octagon, the former featherweight champion’s eyes decidedly lit up at the mention of the ‘Notorious’ Irishman – and for good reason.
Alexander Volkanovski discusses potential superfight with Conor McGregor
The idea of a potential superfight with McGregor isn’t new to Volkanovski, who’s stated on multiple occasions down the years that such a clash would be not only one of the highest-selling PPVs of the year, but also a Fight of the Year contender.
But why does Volkanovski want to fight McGregor? Well, the obvious enormous payday is one facet, but there’s also a long-standing UFC record on the line that the Australian wants to match.
“Of course, no matter how much money you’re making, there’s always room for more. With a Conor McGregor fight, that [money] would be incredible, I don’t know what’s going to happen with that [Chandler] situation but that’s a fight that I would love to have.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted, [and] there’s still a bit of a story there in the fact that he’s the only other featherweight champion that I haven’t fought.”
That’s right, harking all the way back to the WEC days, Volkanovski has fought every single featherweight champion in the promotion’s history aside from McGregor: “So I’d love to do something with Conor for that reason.”
“He’s a very sharp, very dangerous sort of fighter,” he continued, teasing how the key to victory would be his ability to “fight [with] the right strategy.
“Everyone knows I can make good adjustments and fight the right fights – we could gas him out pretty early and have our way with him… But he’s going to be a dangerous man in that first round so you better be ready and have the right strategy.”
Ilia Topuria teases featherweight title fight is now finally booked
Coincidently, only a few hours after Volkanovski touched down in England, fans also got an update regarding that featherweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.
“It seems that the UFC has forced him to say yes,” Ilia Topuria wrote on X, adding “El Matador is back. Congratulations to all UFC fans.”
Less than an hour later, and Holloway had also posted online, “Patiently waiting #blessedexpress” alongside some images of him in training.
When asked how he thinks the fight for his old title plays out, Volkanovski noted that whilst the Spanish-Georgian superstar is as dangerous as they come, he expects ‘Blessed’ to emerge victorious.
“I see Max winning that fight, Max is a great fighter – and Ilia is too, I don’t mean any disrespect to Ilia – but Max stylistically, he’s got a great chin, that puncher’s chance that Ilia has is going to be very hard with someone like Max.”
The UFC has not officially confirmed if or when that fight between Topuria and Holloway will take place, although it is expected to be booked before the end of 2024.
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