Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar has been lobbying for his shot at the Featherweight strap currently held by Max Holloway. The only problem is, “The Answer” is currently sidelined with an injury, while “Blessed” is looking to become the promotion’s next champ-champ at UFC 236 (details).
Aside from that, Alexander Volkanovski has emerged as a top contender in the 145-pound weight class. And to hear him tell it, should he dispose of former 145-pound king Jose Aldo at UFC 237 on May 11, the championship fight should go to him.
Because there are no sympathy title shots in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).
“(Edgar is) dreaming if he thinks I’d take out Aldo in his hometown and then he gets a shot in front of me,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie. “Surely that just does not make sense.I feel bad for him, because I know he deserves it, especially with the whole (Brian) Ortega thing that happened. But this sport can be so unforgiving, man. But do we have sympathy out there just to let him have a title shot? I don’t think so. It’s unfortunate. I feel sorry, but mate, I’m the guy,” he added.
Since making his UFC debut in 2016, Volkanovski has been on a tear, winning all six of his fights, including his most recent destruction of Chad Mendes at UFC 232 (recap here). With only one spot separating Edgar and Alex on the official UFC rankings, Volkanovski believes he’ll get the nod over Edgar.
But should the division be put on hold if Max wins the interim Lightweight strap in a few weeks, Alex says he should definitely be one half of the equation if an interim belt comes into play.
“We know how this game works now. How many interim titles are there? I’m not throwing shade on the guys organizing that, but it’s happening a lot, and I’m expecting it to happen to me,” Volkanovski said. “If Holloway wins, and he wants to fight Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and wait around, give me the interim. You’re throwing them around – give me one,” he added.
“But I’m not going to wait around. I’m almost certain I get the next shot after this fight. I beat Aldo in his hometown, nobody’s got a better claim.”
Volkanovski vs Edgar for the interim title sounds appetizing.
First things first, Alex still needs to get through the living legend Aldo, who most recently scored consecutive wins for the first since since 2014 by obliterating Renato Moicano after knocking out Jeremy Stephens months prior.
To learn more about UFC 237: “Namajunas vs Andrade” click here.