Tag: alexander volkanovski

Robert Whittaker apologizes for underplaying Islam Makhachev’s run: ‘I’m sorry for that, but not really to you guys’

Robert WhittakerRobert Whittaker wasn’t a fan of Alexander Volkanovski’s performance at UFC 294 but now wants to clarify some of…

Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker wasn’t a fan of Alexander Volkanovski’s performance at UFC 294 but now wants to clarify some of the statements he made.

Volkanovski stepped in on less than two weeks notice to face Islam Makhachev on behalf of an injured Charles Oliveira. Despite how close the first fight was, the second fight wasn’t even close.

Things didn’t look too one-sided; until they did. Makhachev would land a picture-perfect head kick shortly into the first round, and that would spell night-night for the legendary Aussie. The kick and ensuing hammer fists by Makhachev would leave Alexander Volkanovski stranded on a different dimensional plane. A cosmic traveler in a different realm. In short, the fight was over as soon as the kick landed. It was a legendary moment for MMA fans to witness, and although it truly burned to see such a guy as Volkanovski have that happen to him: it was also a truly career-defining moment for Islam Makhachev.

Robert Whittaker was very vocal about the fight. Some fans believed he was too critical of Volkanovski, and also didn’t give Makhachev nearly enough credit for his terrific finish of a true legend like ‘Volk’.

Robert Whittaker clarifies his opinion on the Volkanovski and Makhachev fight

“I just want to address it,” Whittaker began on his podcast (H/T MMA News). “I’m sorry if I underplayed Makhachev’s achievements in beating Volk the way he did. That was not what I intended to do even if that’s how I made it sound. I’m sorry for that, but not really to you guys, to him because I don’t want him seeing it and feeling like that.”

“Well, I am a little bit to you guys,” He continued. “Now, I spoke to Johnny [his co-host] after the episode and was like ‘Hey Johnny, was I too harsh on Volk?’ because I thought I was a bit harsh on Volk, to be honest.”

“But, you guys just made me well aware that I was not too harsh on Volk, that I was going down with him on my shield as well,” Robert Whittaker clarified.

“I do not take anything away from the way Makhachev did to take on the newcomer,” Whittaker maintained. “To take on a guy that gave him such a hard time in his first fight, to have such performance, to adapt to the changing opponents. To do what he did that night, unbelievable.”        

What is your opinion on the way Robert Whittaker handled the Alexander Volkanovski loss?

Breaking – Alexander Volkanovski – Ilia Topuria championship fight planned for UFC 298 in February

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria targeted for UFC 298 in February title fightAn undisputed featherweight championship fight between divisional champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and surging number five ranked contender, Ilia Topuria is…

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria targeted for UFC 298 in February title fight

An undisputed featherweight championship fight between divisional champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and surging number five ranked contender, Ilia Topuria is currently in the works to feature at a UFC 298 pay-per-view card in February. At the time of publication, an official date, location, or venue for the flagship has yet to be determined by the organization.

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion and former pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 last month in Abu Dhabi, UAE, suffering a stunning first round high-kick knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight championship fight rematch on just 10 days’ notice. 

As for German-born contender, Topuria, the streaking challenger landed his sixth consecutive Octagon victory back in June – turning in a Fight of the Night display against former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett in a unanimous decision victory. The win improved Topuria to 14-0 as a professional.

Alexander Volkanovski targeted to fight Ilia Topuria at UFC 298

According to a report tonight from Ariel Helwani, with a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira currently planned for UFC 297 in January – Alexander Volkanovski’s planned return at that card in Toronto, Canada, is currently in the works to take place a month later against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. 

“The current plan – though not finalized just yet – is to have Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 – headline UFC 297,” Helwani posted on his official X account. “That event, while not officially announced yet, is currently slated to Jan. 20 in Toronto. The original plan for that main was Volkanovski x Topuria, but now the plan is for that to be on the February PPV.”

In his most recent featherweight outing, New South Wales favorite, Volkanovski turned in a stunning title unification win over former interim champion, Yair Rodríguez in the main event of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, securing a third round ground strikes TKO win.

As for Topuria, the revered finisher debuted in the organization back in 2020 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing victories over Youssef Zalal, Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, Jai Herbert, Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett consecutively in the time since. 

Who wins at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria?

Islam Makhachev picked up Volkanovski’s lunch tab following uFC 294 Clash: ‘That was super kind’

Islam MakhachevBJJ specialist Craig Jones revealed that Islam Makhachev footed the bill for Alexander Volkanovski’s lunch following their UFC 294…

Islam Makhachev

BJJ specialist Craig Jones revealed that Islam Makhachev footed the bill for Alexander Volkanovski’s lunch following their UFC 294 showdown in Abu Dhabi.

Originally scheduled to defend his lightweight title against Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev found himself once again matched up with Volkanovski eight months removed from their Fight of the Year contender in February. In that meeting, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ needed the full 25 minutes to earn a unanimous decision victory over the featherweight champ. This time, he only needed three.

Mere minutes into the opening round, Makhachev launched a perfectly timed head kick that caught Volkanovski on the top of his head, sending him crashing to the canvas. A few follow-up strikes later and it was all said and done.

Joining Volkanovski at UFC 294 was fellow Aussie and IBJJF world champion Craig Jones, who revealed that Makhachev picked up the tab for Volk and his crew at a coffee shop following their rematch.

“So Volk shows up, but the guy we were meeting with, he had tried to see Islam as well before Islam left so Islam showed up at the coffee shop as well,” Jones said on the El Segundo Podcast. “So we’re all there eating lunch and having this meeting and he’s like, ‘Someone’s out front, but you probably don’t want to see him.’ Says that to Volkanovski. We look out the window and Islam’s crew comes in and they sit at another table.

“Islam actually paid our check. That was super kind of the guy. We didn’t hear about that until after and then Volk and Islam got a photo together.”

With two losses against the lightweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski will likely return to his featherweight throne in preparation for a meeting with the division’s No. 5 ranked contender, Ilia Topuria.

Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev will look ahead to his next challenge at 155. Initially, it looked as though the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ would be paired up with current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje for a fight in early 2024. However, UFC CEO Dana White seems to like the idea of rescheduling the bout between Makhachev and Oliveira for the beginning of the year, leaving Gaethje to hang out to dry.

Who would you like to see Islam Makhachev defend his title against next?

Alexander Volkanovski reacts to jon Jones’ UFC 295 title fight withdrawal: ‘I volunteer as tribute’

Alexander Volkanovski offers to replace Jon Jones at UFC 295 I volunteer as tributeOff the back of news regarding incumbent heavyweight champion, Jon Jones’ withdrawal from UFC 295 next month, featherweight kingpin,…

Alexander Volkanovski offers to replace Jon Jones at UFC 295 I volunteer as tribute

Off the back of news regarding incumbent heavyweight champion, Jon Jones’ withdrawal from UFC 295 next month, featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski has offered to replace the Endicott native in another short-notice turnaround – in rather tongue-in-cheek fashion, albeit.

Slated to headline UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden, former two-time light heavyweight champion, Jones has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled heavyweight title fight with the returning ex-champion, Stipe Miocic, after he suffered a torn tendon attached to his pectoral muscle. 

As a result, both Jon Jones and Ohio veteran, Stipe Miocic have been pulled from ‘The Big Apple’ card next month, with an interim title fight between division contenders, Sergei Pavlovich, and Tom Aspinall now added to UFC 295 – in a co-main event bracket.

Alexander Volkanovski offers to replace Jon Jones at UFC 295

However, reacting to news of Jones’ exit from a homecoming event, Volkanovski, who headlined UFC 294 just last weekend, offered to make another short-notice walk – in Hunger Games-referencing fashion.

“I volunteer as tribute @danawhite @ufc,” Alexander Volkanovski posted on his official X account. 

Replacing former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira on just 10 days’ notice last weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Australian fan-favorite, Volkanovski suffered a thunderous opening round KO loss to Islam Makhachev in the pair’s title fight rematch, dropped via a massive left high-kick in the first frame.

Slapped with a mandatory suspension by the UFC until at least December of this year, Volkanovski maintains he still wants to fight as soon as January next in the main event of a planned Canada return for the promotion at UFC 297 – taking on surging contender, Ilia Topuria in a featherweight championship defense. 

With Jones’ withdrawal from UFC 295 to boot, an originally scheduled co-headliner between Jiri Prochazka, and fellow former Octagon champion, Alex Pereira has been promoted to main event status, with the duo vying for vacant light heavyweight gold. 

When do you expect to see Jon Jones return to the Octagon after his UFC 295 withdrawal?

Ex-UFC Champ Urges Alexander Volkanovski to Take Some Time off and Heal: ‘He’s not the same guy’

Alexander VolkanovskiFormer two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam…

Alexander Volkanovski

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.

After narrowly dethroning the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in their February Fight of the Year contender, Volkanovski accepted a rematch on just 11 days’ notice, stepping in for Makhachev’s originally scheduled UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. Despite the short-notice nature of the matchup, ‘The Great’ went into the bout with the utmost confidence.

Tragically, Volkanovski would come crashing back down to reality just three minutes into the contest when Islam Makhachev landed a perfectly timed head kick that spelled the end of Volkanovski’s dreams to become a dual-world champion.

Following the event, an emotional Alexander Volkanovski revealed his “struggle” to remain active inside the Octagon, even in the most unfavorable of situations.

“I put myself in his position,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I think the biggest mistake that Alexander could do is share a lot of who he is as a person to the people. Why do I say that? ‘I’m going through anxieties, I need to stay busy guys, I go crazy if I don’t stay busy or if I don’t fight.’ If I’m a competitor and I’m seeing all that, especially seeing him get knocked out, you know what I’m gonna be doing? I’m gonna be picking at him.”

“If I’m Ilia [Topuria], if I know that he’s concussed, and I know that he goes crazy when he’s not fighting or he’s at home or he goes through anxiety. If I’m Ilia Topuria, you guys know what I’m thinking? I’m thinking about calling this dude out and getting him to step up still on January 20th to have a better chance of actually beating him. You see, there’s times when you’ve gotta keep things to yourself. When you don’t keep things to yourself, you start to expose yourself” (h/t MMA Mania).

Henry Cejudo Urges Volkanovski to take him time

Despite the setback in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski remains in talks to defend his featherweight title against No. 5 ranked contender Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto. That would give ‘The Great’ less than three months to prepare for what could very well be the toughest test of his reign as the 145-pound champion.

“If I’m Ilia Topuria on the flip side, you know what I’m thinking? I have to pick a fight with him,” Cejudo continued. “I have to get him to fight me on January 20th because the simple fact that he’s concussed. He’s concussed, it’s not the same Alexander Volkanovski that was out here finishing all these opponents … he’s not the same guy.

“If I’m Alexander Volkanovski on the flip side, you know what I’m doing? I gotta humble myself,” Cejudo said. “I gotta allow my brain to heal for the next six months. I’ve been concussed. Being concussed or going through a knockout, it takes you a minute for you to really kind of start walking that straight line. So there’s two sides. Volk, take your damn time. I wouldn’t necessarily be in a rush. You’re gonna have to humble yourself. Yeah, I’m saying humble yourself because it shouldn’t be about ego or pride. It should be about winning.”

The UFC is expected to make an announcement regarding UFC 297 in the coming weeks.

Ex-UFC Champ Urges Alexander Volkanovski to Take Some Time off and Heal: ‘He’s not the same guy’

Alexander VolkanovskiFormer two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam…

Alexander Volkanovski

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski may have unintentionally exposed himself following his devastating loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.

After narrowly dethroning the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in their February Fight of the Year contender, Volkanovski accepted a rematch on just 11 days’ notice, stepping in for Makhachev’s originally scheduled UFC 294 opponent, Charles Oliveira. Despite the short-notice nature of the matchup, ‘The Great’ went into the bout with the utmost confidence.

Tragically, Volkanovski would come crashing back down to reality just three minutes into the contest when Islam Makhachev landed a perfectly timed head kick that spelled the end of Volkanovski’s dreams to become a dual-world champion.

Following the event, an emotional Alexander Volkanovski revealed his “struggle” to remain active inside the Octagon, even in the most unfavorable of situations.

“I put myself in his position,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I think the biggest mistake that Alexander could do is share a lot of who he is as a person to the people. Why do I say that? ‘I’m going through anxieties, I need to stay busy guys, I go crazy if I don’t stay busy or if I don’t fight.’ If I’m a competitor and I’m seeing all that, especially seeing him get knocked out, you know what I’m gonna be doing? I’m gonna be picking at him.”

“If I’m Ilia [Topuria], if I know that he’s concussed, and I know that he goes crazy when he’s not fighting or he’s at home or he goes through anxiety. If I’m Ilia Topuria, you guys know what I’m thinking? I’m thinking about calling this dude out and getting him to step up still on January 20th to have a better chance of actually beating him. You see, there’s times when you’ve gotta keep things to yourself. When you don’t keep things to yourself, you start to expose yourself” (h/t MMA Mania).

Henry Cejudo Urges Volkanovski to take him time

Despite the setback in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski remains in talks to defend his featherweight title against No. 5 ranked contender Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto. That would give ‘The Great’ less than three months to prepare for what could very well be the toughest test of his reign as the 145-pound champion.

“If I’m Ilia Topuria on the flip side, you know what I’m thinking? I have to pick a fight with him,” Cejudo continued. “I have to get him to fight me on January 20th because the simple fact that he’s concussed. He’s concussed, it’s not the same Alexander Volkanovski that was out here finishing all these opponents … he’s not the same guy.

“If I’m Alexander Volkanovski on the flip side, you know what I’m doing? I gotta humble myself,” Cejudo said. “I gotta allow my brain to heal for the next six months. I’ve been concussed. Being concussed or going through a knockout, it takes you a minute for you to really kind of start walking that straight line. So there’s two sides. Volk, take your damn time. I wouldn’t necessarily be in a rush. You’re gonna have to humble yourself. Yeah, I’m saying humble yourself because it shouldn’t be about ego or pride. It should be about winning.”

The UFC is expected to make an announcement regarding UFC 297 in the coming weeks.