Alexander Volkanovski names two thrilling fights he needs at 155 kilos

Alexander Volkanovski ponders a return to light-weight whereas ready for his featherweight title shot.

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) misplaced his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria by knockout at UFC 298. The previous five-time defending champion has been urged to take a while off after back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Topuria, so he received’t be getting the fast rematch he desired.

As an alternative, Topuria is anticipated to make his first title protection in opposition to Max Holloway later within the 12 months, and Volkanovski wish to keep busy – at light-weight.

“For me proper now, what excites me?” Volkanovski mentioned on FREESTYLEBENDER. “The issues that excite me in featherweight, it’s simply the belt – clearly the rematch and the belt? That’s huge. I’m nonetheless that competitor the place, ‘All proper, that is my division. I’m getting it again. I need that win again’ – issues like that. So it’s going to be there. However then at light-weight, let’s have some enjoyable whereas we’re ready. I believe they’re in all probability going to do Max and Ilia September,

“I instructed the UFC I didn’t need to combat until later within the 12 months. I actually dedicated to that in my head. Now I’ve began coaching, I’m like, ‘I want I didn’t inform them that.’ So I did that, however that’s truthful. I did say, ‘Look, I don’t need to wait too lengthy, both.’ I’m able now the place in the event that they try this and so they need me to combat bloody in March or one thing, or April, I used to be like, ‘Oh, effectively, all proper, I’m going to combat a light-weight. Give me thrilling fights.’”

Volkanovski challenged light-weight champion Makhachev twice, however fell quick in each alternatives. Two specific names stand out as desired fights for Volkanovski at 155 kilos.

“I need an thrilling fighter like a Charles Oliveira,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I did name out (Dustin) Poirier after that. He’s an ideal dude. We get alongside. I believe he’s man and he’s clearly a giant, enjoyable combat. There’s nonetheless historical past there with mutual opponents. He used to combat at featherweight, issues like that, and clearly a giant title – enjoyable combat, that may be. In order that’s thrilling.

“Charles Oliveira, there’s a number of thrilling fights that I’d like to do whereas I’m ready as effectively. So yeah – simply no matter excites me. The belt excites me. Ilia, clearly, rematch excites me. In order that’s the principle factor within the featherweight. I wouldn’t simply combat anybody in featherweight as a result of my subsequent combat’s for the title, and that’s that.”