Alexander Volkanovski is determined to reclaim his featherweight crown following Ilia Topuria’s monstrous third-round knockout over Max Holloway at UFC 308.
The MMA legend lost his title at 145 lbs after he was brutally stopped by the reigning champ in the second round of their showdown earlier this year.
Since then, Ilia Topuria’s spectacular performance against Max Holloway has largely cemented his legacy at featherweight, with the 27-year-old now being linked with a clash against lightweight king Islam Makhachav.
Alexander Volkanovski, however, remains eager to secure a rematch with the Spaniard but, in the meantime, may be forced to take on formidable contender Diego Lopes.
Alexander Volkanovski hints at next UFC outing following Ilia Topuria’s KO over Max Holloway
Volkanovski is one of the most celebrated fighters of all time, captivating fans with his dynamic skills in the cage and engaging personality outside of it.
After forging a remarkable reign at featherweight, the measure of the Australian was put to the test when he stepped up to face Makhachev at 155 lbs.
And despite losing to the lightweight champ on two occasions, Volkanovski nonetheless earned the respect of fans with his incredibly brave performances.
But now, the 36-year-old is on a revenge mission, hoping to land another shot against Topuria.
The one stumbling block regarding their rematch, though, is the location, with Volkanovski clamoring for a battle in Sydney, Australia, at UFC 312 while Topuria looks to stage a homecoming in Madrid, Spain.
In the meantime, Volkanovski has expressed an interest in fighting Lopes for the featherweight interim title which, given their recent social media posts, now looks like a genuine possibility.
Diego Lopes teases fight news amid Alexander Volkanovski rumors
Shortly after Volkanovski’s social media post – where he simply said, “time to work” – Lopes, too, took to Instagram, and said, “I believe in myself.”
Lopes comes off back-to-back unanimous decision victories over seasoned operators Brian Ortega and Dan Ige.
And so, after capturing the imagination of MMA fans with his comprehensive performances, the Brazilian has put his name in the mix for a potential title shot against Topuria.
But still, he may have to resist the unrelenting force of Volkanovski before earning his golden opportunity.