Alexander Volkanovski dealt with a pretty serious concussion after his first UFC loss by knockout.
The reigning featherweight champion was put to sleep by a head kick when he stepped up to the lightweight division for a short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev, whom he previously pushed to a split decision verdict.
Three months later, Alexander Volkanovski lost his 145lb title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February 2024.
The recently crowned lightweight king knocked out Volkanovski during the second round of a fight that the Aussie fan favorite admits he shouldn’t have taken so soon after losing to Islam Makhachev.
- READ MORE: Alexander Volkanovski reveals his family encouraged him to retire following title win at UFC 314
Alexander Volkanovski admits UFC 298 mistake
Alexander Volkanovski recently sat down for a chat with one of the UFC’s greatest-ever fighters.
During his conversation with former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, ‘The Great’ detailed the concussion symptoms he endured after his respective KO loss against Makhachev and Topuria.
Volkanovski noted that although he was unconscious for longer after facing ‘El Matador,’ he actually experienced more concussion issues following his fight with Makhachev a few months prior.
For that reason, he thinks he made a massive mistake by jumping into a scrap with Topuria.
“I feel like I had more of a concussion from the Islam one,” Volkanovski told Johnson.
“Even though I was knocked out longer with Ilia, I had a lot more of the symptoms with the Islam one.
“I didn’t have head contact [for 90 days], but now you’re easing into it and making sure you don’t get hit.
“You’re trying to put yourself in a safer position, and you even start camp wrong.
“I should’ve had the break.”
What’s next for Alexander Volkanovski?
Volkanovski won back his featherweight belt by outpointing Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in April.
Movsar Evloev is the division’s number one contender and should be next in line for a title shot.
However, he first has to get past promotional newcomer Aaron Pico at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26.
It’s currently unclear if Volkanovski will wait for the winner of that fight or take an interim bout.
There have been strong rumors about a Yair Rodriguez rematch, but that matchup has been slammed by fans because ‘El Pantera’ is 1-1 in the Octagon since being battered by Volkanovski at UFC 290 in July 2023.
“I’ll fight whoever,” the 145lb legend told Johnson. “Whoever they put in front of me, I’m fighting…
“If you ask me, ‘Who would I be most excited for?’ It probably would be Movsar.”