Alexander Volkanovski was probably the most energetic champions within the UFC again when he reigned as featherweight king, defending his throne 4 occasions in a span of two years through the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that he’s again on the prime, beating Diego Lopes for the vacant title at UFC 314 on April 12, he plans on replicating that.
Volkanovski was doubted by some given his age and the very fact he’s misplaced back-to-back by knockout, falling in entrance of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, however then grew to become the primary fighter older than 35 to win a UFC belt underneath 155 kilos in Miami.
“I’m not going to do something too loopy,” Volkanovski stated on the post-fight press convention when requested for his future plans. “Everybody’s going to at all times rise up me for that brief discover. I’ll do it once more, you already know what I imply? That’s simply how it’s. Lots of people are going to hold on, however that’s who I’m. This man that challenges himself when his again’s in opposition to a wall and all the percentages are stacked in opposition to him, I’m nonetheless attempting to present it a crack.
“And that very same man with that very same mindset and mentality turns up within the health club each single f*cking day. If I’m not going to do this shit, I wouldn’t be the champion I’m. I’m okay with that. There’s no knock in any respect on my staff for letting me do this. It was my choice. They backed me and let me do it as a result of they know who I’m and what I’m able to. It didn’t prove, however like I stated, that’s simply, I may be cussed.”
With bruises throughout his face following a five-round battle with Lopes, the Australian star left it up for the promotion’s matchmakers to determine when his subsequent struggle will happen, however didn’t sound that occupied with ready till September to defend it in opposition to Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez on the subsequent Noche UFC pay-per-view in Guadalajara.
“I imply, if every little thing’s good, I’d in all probability wish to go quickly,” Volkanovski stated. “Faster than that, to be trustworthy. That’s in all probability the second struggle. So possibly it may be, if I’m good, possibly I get the struggle, possibly July or September. Yeah, we will possibly slot in. Movsar [Evloev], in the event that they wish to do this, in the event that they wish to shortly go and I really feel good, possibly fast turnaround with Movsar if I don’t have busted arms. We’ll see. Like I stated, that was my plan. Bang, bang, bang. However I didn’t anticipate to get hit this a lot. Credit score to f*cking Diego.”
“I’ve bought to have a look at a number of issues,” he added. “I’ll get X-rays, I’ll take a look immediately. If every little thing’s all good, cuts will heal fairly fast. Give me a few weeks and I’ll be again at it. I’ll nonetheless be doing stuff even once I get again residence. Like stated, I’m an expert, I’m disciplined. I’ll maintain working. I’ll discuss to the UFC and we’ll see what occurs.”
Rodriguez, a former interim champion himself, beat former Bellator king Patricio Pitbull earlier that night time at UFC 314, however then misplaced t o Volkanovski through third-round stoppage when attempting to unify golds. Rodriguez rebounded with the Pitbull win after dropping two straight in opposition to Volkanovski and Brian Ortega, and “The Nice” is not sure if “Pantera” deserves to be subsequent as a substitute of undefeated Evloev.
“Look, he’s a superb dude. I like him so much,” Volkanovski stated of Rodriguez. “If the UFC needs to present it to him, I ain’t gonna cease that for him. I’ll be trustworthy, earlier than that struggle, I didn’t suppose if he gained, he can be getting a shot. I’ll be trustworthy, that didn’t come to thoughts. However now that he’s calling, I’m not going to be the one to say no. I’m going to depart every little thing to the UFC.”
“Clearly, you’ve bought guys like Movsar, who’s undefeated. I’d like to take that zero,” he continued. “We’ve bought to see what the UFC say. I even seen him tweeting that he needs to struggle somebody in Might and doing all this type of stuff, so possibly he’s had the chats they usually need him to have yet another struggle. So I don’t know that scenario, however I’ll see how issues are. I’d like to say I wish to get straight again in there. I nonetheless do. However I’m gonna need to possibly have a look at a few issues.”
When it’s all stated and completed, turning into UFC champion once more and holding the belt isn’t crucial for Volkanovski.
“To be trustworthy, it’s not in regards to the title,” Volkanovski stated. “It’s probably not in regards to the belt, however successful, staying on prime, being profitable, you already know what I imply? This represents much more. I’m within the health club busting my ass day by day. You’re sacrificing a lot. What am I doing it for? Clearly to be one of the best. This represents that, which is nice.
“[This belt] is simply gonna sit within the closet like the opposite one, you already know what imply? However what it represents and what I’ve completed is that’s particular. That’s extra particular to me. Me taking this again to my household, buddies… Possibly that’s why it hasn’t correctly settled in. As a result of I wish to soak it up with my household and buddies and everyone again residence as a result of which means extra to me. Once I see all that, that’s what actually hits for me. This wrapped round me, that don’t actually give a f*ck, to be trustworthy.”
