Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will make his next title defense at the upcoming UFC 260 pay-per-view (PPV) event, taking on top contender Brian Ortega on Sat., March 27, 2021 inside APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ortega was able to dazzle the mixed martial arts (MMA) community by outclassing fellow 145-pound title hopeful Chan Sung Jung in the UFC Fight Island 6 main event last October in Abu Dhabi; however, Volkanovski believes that had as much to do with Jung’s defense as it did with Ortega’s offense.
Which is why fight fans are in for a shock at UFC 260.
“If you’re expecting Ortega to look how he did against Zombie, you’re in for a rude shock. And again, anyone that knows the game will know that’s not how the fight’s gonna go,” Volkanovski told Submission Radio. “Doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous. No, it doesn’t. I just believe he’s going to be dangerous in other things, but he will not be able to just do what he wants in the Octagon with me, I can guarantee you that. I know he’s tough, he’s durable. But man, I just think the nick I’m in right now, like, no one can keep up. I really do. So, I think I’m going to break him in the earlier rounds, and then I’ll be able to get that finish.”
Finishing Ortega would be the first of several hurdles Volkanovski will need to clear in order to change weight classes and make a run at the lightweight title. While champion vs. champion super fights are all the rage these days, watching Israel Adesanya come up short against Jan Blachowicz may have the promotion rethinking the champ-champ craze.
We may find out as early as this year, unless this happens.
“I’ve got that welterweight, middleweight type of strength, you know what I mean? I’m just talking myself up here, but I mean, you get anyone that’s trained with me and you talk about for my size, the power I have, the strength I have,” Volkanovski continued. “So, I don’t I think that being overpowered and someone being able to throw me around in lightweight would happen. I’m not the cocky type, but I’m very confident in myself, and I know I’ve got the skills to really do well in the lightweight division. Even against the best. I’ve got some work to do, and I’ll do this that year. But, man, even later this year or early next year, that lightweight division, I’ve got my eye on them.”