No McGregor? No problem. Alexander Volkanovski is always willing to save an event if the opponent and money is right.
Could Alexander Volkanovski step into the headliner role at UFC 303 if Conor McGregor can’t? It’s something Volk is open to if the right match-up is presented.
Volkanovski took some time off after back-to-back knockout losses and recently returned to Australia after training in Thailand. Now he’s itching to get back in the cage despite an original October 2024 return plan.
With the UFC 303 main event between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler in jeopardy, he sees another opportunity to jump in early. The UFC is reportedly sending out ‘feelers’ for replacements fights, and “The Great” is game.
“As long as it’s a big fight,” Volk told Submission Radio. “I wouldn’t just take any fight, because as you said, it’s a big deal. Save save the day as well. I love just saving the day as well. I’m just that good of a guy. I might have to save the day, I’ll save the day. Obviously get paid well for it as well. You never know.”
Does this mean he’s heard something more than rumors about a McGregor injury derailing the UFC’s big June 29th card?
“I was just mucking around with that,” he clarified. “I don’t even know, there’s probably nothing even happened. It’s probably just a couple of little little hiccups, and everyone’s blowing it out of proportion. But, I will have fun, throw my name out there for a bit of a laugh.”
The last time Volkanovski jumped into a fight on very short notice was UFC 294 against Islam Makhachev, and he ate a head kick knockout in the first round for his troubles. Then he turned around too fast against Ilia Topuria four months later and got knocked out again.
We’re just four months removed from that KO, and Volk is ready to throw caution to the wind if the right fight (and paycheck) is offered up for UFC 303. Would it be wise? No. Would it be “Great?” Yes. They don’t call it prize fighting for nothing, after all.