Alexander Volkanovski calls Jose Aldo featherweight GOAT

Alexander Volkanovski hasn’t modified his thoughts on who the best featherweight of all time is.

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) defended his 145-pound title 5 instances earlier than shedding it to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February. His resume contains wins over Jose Aldo, Max Holloway thrice, and Brian Ortega.

However Volkanovski had excessive reward for “The King of Rio” and the best way he carried himself all through his six-year championship reign that started within the WEC.

“Clearly his approach, his ability is all the time going to be one thing that you just’re going to understand, however him being such a respectful champion,” Volkanovski instructed Fox Sports activities Australia. “Once more, that’s how I prefer to be like. I feel he’s morally right, I feel he’s simply respectful. He’s how a champion needs to be, and that was one thing that I actually did admire and made me wish to be a fantastic champion, too.”

Aldo (31-8 MMA, 13-7 UFC) returns vs. Jonathan Martinez (19-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 301 (Pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+) bantamweight co-main occasion at Rio Area in Rio de Janeiro.

Volkanovski admitted Aldo’s UFC file seven title defenses at featherweight makes him the best within the historical past of the division.

“I can admire what Aldo’s carried out, you realize what I imply,” Volkanovski stated. “That’s for different individuals to resolve however you realize for me, should you’re going to ask me, I’m going to say Aldo as a result of you realize, he was a champion for a really very long time.

“Clearly, individuals are going to have a look at competitors and all that, however to be champion that lengthy, issues go unsuitable. You combat injured, there’s so many issues that may go unsuitable and to be champion that lengthy, it’s saying one thing. He was very dominant as champion, as properly, so full respect to Aldo.”

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