UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has a very clear idea of what he wants from life. First it was the UFC featherweight title. Then it was the UFC lightweight title.
His failure to capture the title in a razor-close decision loss to Islam Makhachev is just a blip on Volkanovski’s radar: he wants to return to the 155-pound division in spectacular fashion, but first he has business to attend to at 145 pounds.
Alexander Volkanovski Lays Out Lightweight Title Rematch For UFC 300
When asked what’s next at the UFC 293 media day, he replied: “Obviously you’ve got the Ilia fight. That’s always going to be there. You’ve got that rematch that I want. I want to be active. Obviously Islam and Charles [Oliveira] are going at it soon. I don’t want to be waiting around so I’ll do early next year I think.
I wanted this year but I think the schedule this year is not going to be able to fit me in. I think there’s a few champions that need to be fighting, which is fair, but I would have been happy to get one in this year. I really wanted three this year but it’s not looking likely.
But early next year we’ll get it in and then hopefully another one not too long after that.” Alexander Volkanovski has always said that he wanted to be an active champ. Now aged 34, his time at the top may come to an end all too soon, and the last thing Alexander “The Great” wants is to wait around.
“I don’t want to be waiting around. I guess that’s one beautiful thing about me, rather than waiting for a title shot, just keep me busy. It’s not like I’m looking past my opponent, but I’ve got full confidence in me doing my work in that featherweight division with Ilia.
He’s tough, durable, but I’ll just keep showing that I’m on a whole other level and then I’ve got that fight. I’m being told Islam wants to be very active, so as long as the schedule still fits the same for me, I don’t care too much.”
Then it’s off to UFC 300 to try and make history. “I think so. I think that makes a lot of sense.
For sure. I think that would be great, especially with me getting my hand raised in that one for UFC 300, that would be perfect. We’ll see what we can do but I think that’s one of the bigger fights that you can make. I truly do believe that.
A lot of people want to see it again. It was very competitive and I guarantee you I get it done next time.”
