The UFC featherweight champion, Alexander “The Great” Volkanovksi, wants to return to lightweight as soon as possible. Volkanovski attempted to relieve lightweight champ Islam Makhachev of his title at UFC 284, losing a razor-close decision on the night.
Now, the number one ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the UFC roster declared on his YouTube channel that he’ll be back at 155 pounds before too long.
UFC Champ Alexander Volkanovski Demands Islam Makhachev Rematch This Year
“I wanted to be active. I told you that. I was asked after the fight [with Makhachev], do I want to wait around for the rematch, do I want to fight at featherweight, what do I wanna do? I don’t want to wait around.
They said, ‘Do you want to wait around and the only thing is if you wait for that fight, that might not be until the end of the year.’ We don’t know when that fight is happening but it’s not looking like it’s gonna be anytime soon.
I ain’t waiting. I’d rather fight featherweight then do the rematch sometime at the end of the year, whenever it is. Whenever that fight can happen, that fight’s always gonna be there. I want to stay active and I told you I wanted to stay active and I wasn’t lying. This is proof of that.”
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented Volkanovski’s early featherweight title reign from being quite as busy as the Australian fighter wanted. He fought just once per year through 2020 and 2021.
However, 2022 saw Volkanovski defend his title twice, successfully dispatching The Korean Zombie and Max Holloway in a pair of thrilling headline performances.
In the meantime, Volkanovski will return to featherweight to face off against interim champ, Yair Rodriguez. Rodriguez was crowned in the co-main event at 284, and will challenge Volkanovksi at UFC 290 this July.
If Volkanovski, as is expected, manages to defend his title once more, it’s clear that the featherweight champ plans to move back up to lightweight and fight for a third time this year.
Of course, there is no shortage of UFC lightweights in line for Makhachev’s belt. Former champ Charles Oliveira will face Beneil Dariush next month, and either man could be next in line for Makhachev. Makhachev is expected to return to action in Abu Dhabi this October, but no opponent has been announced for the lightweight champion. Regardless, Volkanovski wants to stay busy.
“When I do get that lightweight belt, you know I’ll be keeping both divisions busy. A lot of people were like, ‘How you gonna do it?’ This is how I’m gonna do it.”
