Alexander Volkanovski’s next featherweight title fight seemed all set, until now.
‘The Great’ regained his 145lb strap by outpointing Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in April.
Lerone Murphy knocked out Aaron Pico to put himself in line for a title shot at UFC 319 last month.
UFC 323 in December was earmarked for their fight, but Alexander Volkanovski has now revealed that a ‘spanner in the works’ has changed everything.
Alexander Volkanovski provides fight update
Alexander Volkanovski is currently in Perth ahead of the UFC’s latest event in Australia.
While there, the 36-year-old caught up with Submission Radio, who asked him about his next fight.
“I mean, it’s hard,” Volkanovski said when asked if the plan is for him to fight Lerone Murphy in December.
“I thought that was what it was gonna be, but there might be a spanner in the works.”
Volkanovski went on to suggest that the UFC could be heading to Sydney, Australia, very soon.
He added: “February in Sydney. Is it February?”
Who else could Alexander Volkanovski fight?
19-0 featherweight Movsar Evloev has been on the cusp of a title shot for some time now.
The Russian fighter was supposed to face Aaron Pico at UFC 319, but an injury forced him off the card, allowing Lerone Murphy to steal the show and build hype for his own fight with Alexander Volkanovski.
If Evloev is overlooked, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling may get the next crack.
‘The Funk Master’ is 2-1 since moving up to 145lbs, with his most recent win coming against Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai in August.
Diego Lopes is the last viable option, despite being well beaten by Volkanovski earlier this year.
Since then, he’s bounced back with a Fight of the Year knockout win over Jean Silva at Noche UFC.