Alexander Volkanovski’s move from featherweight up to lightweight, while still in possession of the featherweight belt, echoes that of another fighter. Years ago, Conor McGregor became the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion. This Saturday night, Volkanovski will face Islam Makhachev in his attempt to repeat McGregor’s feat. With the Irish superstar set to return to action this year, Volkanovski told Fox Sports Australia that a world-first clash of the double champs could well be on the cards.
“Oh, one hundred per cent. If McGregor beats Chandler and you’re surprised he gets a world title shot straight after that, you’re mad.
Could Volkanovski Face McGregor Next?
You’re absolutely mad. If he beats Chandler, how is he not getting a title fight? And of course I have a huge fight ahead of me right now. Which is what I’m preparing for.
But it’s also OK to look ahead. And while I’m never looking ahead without being focused on what’s in front of me — I couldn’t be where I am right now if that were the case – it’s also important to see what you’re fighting for.
And all the opportunities that come my way after this big win, it will be massive. Massive for me, for my family, I’ll be up there with conversations about the greatest . All the conversations from there are endless.”
Volkanovski is a heavy underdog heading into the bout, but the diminutive Australian fighter is far from concerned about that. “And I hear people keep saying ‘oh look what Islam has done to all these other guys’, But who gives a f*** what he’s done?
I’m a whole different breed to those guys. And I’m about to prove that. That’s why I don’t give a f*** when people say ‘oh, look what Islam did to this or that guy’.
Max Holloway had done a lot of s*** to guys too. And look what I then did to Max. So don’t tell me what the other guy has done. I’m going to figure him out. I’ve got that fight IQ.
I’ve got everything required for this cool underdog story.” Volkanovski also detailed his gameplan for Makhachev, which will differ from his typical approach at featherweight.
“Fighting at featherweight, I’ve always felt that with a lot of my opponents, their only chance was that puncher’s chance. So because of that, I’ve had to be calculated. Make sure they didn’t get that one punch.
I’ve had to take away, be a bit safer on the feet. And I know it mightn’t have always seemed that way when you look at my volume. But for this one, I need to capitalise on the feet. We know what Islam wants to do.
So I can’t sit there and cruise on the feet. It has to be damage, damage, damage. That’s what I’m going for. And lightweight Volk will be packing a punch.”
Is McGregor vs Volkanovksi a serious possibility? Let us know what you think in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9uIoWFKbY
