Alexander Volkanovski was one of the crucial lively 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 mentioned on the post-fight press convention when requested for his future plans. “Everybody’s going to all the time stand up me for that quick discover. I’ll do it once more, you recognize 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 towards a wall and all the chances are stacked towards him, I’m nonetheless attempting to offer 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 try this shit, I wouldn’t be the champion I’m. I’m okay with that. There’s no knock in any respect on my workforce for letting me try this. It was my resolution. 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 mentioned, that’s simply, I will 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 battle will happen, however didn’t sound that fascinated by ready till September to defend it towards Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez on the subsequent Noche UFC pay-per-view in Guadalajara.
“I imply, if every little thing’s good, I’d most likely wish to go quickly,” Volkanovski mentioned. “Faster than that, to be sincere. That’s most likely the second battle. So possibly it may be, if I’m good, possibly I get the battle, possibly July or September. Yeah, we will possibly slot in. Movsar [Evloev], in the event that they need to try this, in the event that they need to rapidly go and I really feel good, possibly fast turnaround with Movsar if I don’t have busted fingers. We’ll see. Like I mentioned, that was my plan. Bang, bang, bang. However I didn’t count on to get hit this a lot. Credit score to f*cking Diego.”
“I’ve bought to take a look at a couple 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 dwelling. Like mentioned, I’m knowledgeable, I’m disciplined. I’ll preserve 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 shedding two straight towards 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 dude. I like him rather a lot,” Volkanovski mentioned of Rodriguez. “If the UFC desires to offer it to him, I ain’t gonna cease that for him. I’ll be sincere, earlier than that battle, I didn’t assume if he gained, he could be getting a shot. I’ll be sincere, 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 desires to battle 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 battle. So I don’t know that state of affairs, however I’ll see how issues are. I’d like to say I need to get straight again in there. I nonetheless do. However I’m gonna must possibly take a look at a few issues.”
When it’s all mentioned and completed, turning into UFC champion once more and holding the belt isn’t a very powerful for Volkanovski.
“To be sincere, it’s not in regards to the title,” Volkanovski mentioned. “It’s probably not in regards to the belt, however profitable, staying on prime, being profitable, you recognize what I imply? This represents much more. I’m within the health club busting my ass daily. You’re sacrificing a lot. What am I doing it for? Clearly to be the very best. This represents that, which is nice.
“[This belt] is simply gonna sit within the closet like the opposite one, you recognize 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, mates… Possibly that’s why it hasn’t correctly settled in. As a result of I need to soak it up with my household and mates and everyone again dwelling as a result of meaning 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 sincere.”
