UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski returns to action this weekend. Volkanovski will headline the main event at UFC 290 opposite Yair Rodriguez, who currently holds the UFC interim featherweight title.
Although Volkanovski has remained typically polite and respectful of his opponent in the build-up to the fight thus far, he told Joe Rogan at the pre-fight press conference that things are about to change.
Alexander Volkanovski Promises To “Squash” Yair Rodriguez At UFC 290
“It’s been very respectful. I’ve been giving him respect, saying he’s dangerous, but all of that s*** stops tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’m going out there, I’m going to squash him. And still, baby. Let’s go.”
Yair Rodriguez, too, remained respectful of Volkanovski, who was until recently the no.1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Rodriguez also thanked the Mexican fans who have helped propel his rise to the top.
“Thank you to the Mexican fans. We’re not just helping to build the sport together, but we’re helping to change lives here. I don’t have anything to say about my opponent, everybody knows he’s f****** great, and we’re going to do a f****** great job tomorrow night. So, just wait for that.
Thank you, [Alexander], again.”Yair Rodriguez earned the UFC interim featherweight championship when Volkanovski attempted to move up a weight class and capture the UFC lightweight title.
Volkanovksi took reigning lightweight champ Islam Makhachev to a razor-close decision that night, and UFC 290 will mark his return to the 145-pound weight class.
Alexander Volkanovski remains undefeated at featherweight, and has spent much of the leadup to this fight claiming that Rodriguez represents a far more dangerous challenge than Makhachev.
Makhachev’s dominant, suffocating Dagestani wrestling has seen him surge through the lightweight division. Despite this, Volkanokvsi’s extensive grappling training alongside fellow Australian and elite grappler Craig Jones found the featherweight enjoying more success than many anticipated opposite Makhachev.
However, Rodriguez’s precise, lethal striking may present more of a challenge for Volkanovski, a striker himself. Volkanovski has historically had a harder time fighting elite strikers, with his second bout against Max Holloway stirring up particular controversy.
Rodriguez boasts serious knockout power, and Volkanovski has shown himself to be willing to eat a few punches in striking exchanges. If Yair Rodriguez can impose his will on Volkanovski, the UFC may well have a new featherweight champion on their hands.
However, Alexander Volkanovski is nothing if not adaptable, and has proven himself repeatedly to be capable of handling the toughest opponents in one of the UFC’s most terrifying divisions.
