UFC featherweight was hoping to challenge for the 145-pound title soon, but the reigning champ, Alexander Volkanovski, is looking elsewhere. With Volkanovski next in line to fight Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title, Kattar is “rooting for” his fellow featherweight, as he revealed in a recent interview with The MMA Hour.
“Shout out to the champ. I respect what he’s doing. There’s no hate on this guy. That’s how a champion’s got to act – want to compete, out there testing themselves, want to be great, seeing how far he can push it. I’m rooting for him in that fight against Islam, and obviously he’s got his hands full.
Kattar “Rooting For” Volkanovski To Beat Makhachev
[Makhachev]’s a beast. But I just respect the mindset and the willingness to go out and do what you can to be great. I love to see it, and I’m just trying to climb that ladder one step closer to take on him or whoever is next in line for these title fights, and get my name in that discussion.”
Volkanovski was the backup for UFC 280, headlined by Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira. This choice to get into fighting shape with no guarantee of an appearance is evidence, in Kattar’s mind, of Volkanovski’s “championship mentality”.
“That’s that mindset. It’s that mentality, the championship mentality. I respect it. I love it. It would be an honor to compete against him one day, but in the meantime, on the back end, it’s a lot of fun to watch him go out and dare to be great.”
Although the UFC has yet to confirm the fight, the promotion will grace Australian shores next February. Volkanovski, who currently occupies the no.1 spot in the pound-for-pound UFC rankings, is expected to appear on the UFC’s first appearance in his home country in several years. Makhachev, too, has stated outright that he would be happy to travel to Australia for his first title defense.
Volkanovski’s no.1 status is exactly why Islam Makhachev believes he has “a fighting chance against anybody”. “Pound-for-pound f****** No. 1 in the world, you’ve got a fighting chance against anybody.
Hell yeah. He’s got a chance against everybody. I’m rooting for the ‘45-pounder. That’s my weight class. I’m not hating. I respect it. I’m rooting for him, and I hope he gets the job done.”
Are you siding with Alexander Volkanovski, too, or is there something about this matchup that Calvin Kattar missed? Let us know in the comments.
