Alexander Volkanovski Launches Staunch Defense Of His & Israel Adesanya’s Track Records As Champs: ‘We Wouldn’t Be In The Position We Are Now…’

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently responded to the naysayers questioning the supposed burnout affecting both his and Israel Adesanya’s fighting careers, pointing to their stellar records as UFC champions. “Alexander the Great” suffered a second-round knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February, marking his first setback as a […]

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Launches Staunch Defense Of His & Israel Adesanya’s Track Records As Champs: ‘We Wouldn’t Be In The Position We Are Now…’ at MMA News.

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently responded to the naysayers questioning the supposed burnout affecting both his and Israel Adesanya’s fighting careers, pointing to their stellar records as UFC champions.

“Alexander the Great” suffered a second-round knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February, marking his first setback as a featherweight. This loss came on the heels of another finish by reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the first round at UFC 294 last October, making it Volkanovski’s second consecutive KO defeat.

The loss to Topuria concluded his four-year tenure as champion. Volkanovski, one of the UFC’s most active fighters, has participated in nine title bouts over the past five years. However, the Australian is now on a break from the Octagon to focus on his mental health and recuperate.

A segment of the MMA community has voiced apprehensions that Volkanovski’s recent defeats stem from his grueling schedule, suggesting that his relentless string of back-to-back fights has led to burnout.

However, “Alexander the Great” rebuffs these claims, insisting that his relentless pace in competition has been a key factor in his and his close friend and City Kickboxing training partner Adesanya’s rise to greatness as champions…

Volkanovski Credits Active Competition for His & Adesanya’s Championship Success

During a recent interview on the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel with Adesanya’s younger brother, Volkanovski addressed critics who doubt their careers.

The former featherweight titleholder expressed that he finds “The Last Stylebender’s” reign as middleweight champion deeply inspiring for his own journey.

“Being active is where you’re gonna make your most money. So get active. I learned that from Izzy, he’s got the right form, and I love it. When we talk about our mentality, like myself and Israel Adesanya, people start to say, ‘Oh, you burned yourself out,’ and they try to look at it as a bad thing.

“But we wouldn’t be the champions we were. We wouldn’t be in the position we are now mentally and everything. Our mentality and our mindset, that’s what made us great champions to be able to defend that.”

The 35-year-old Aussie further expressed his gratitude for avoiding extended layoffs from fighting, attributing his legacy as a dominant champion to his relentless activity in the sport.

“That mentality got us, how many times defending champ? … But I was thankful that I was like that for how long I did. I wouldn’t have the appreciation from the people if I weren’t like that, I wouldn’t have the money in the bank like I do, and I wouldn’t be able to look after my family like I’m able to right now if it wasn’t for that.”

“The Last Stylebender” also took a voluntary break after losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September. Initially, he jokingly suggested that he might not return to the Octagon until 2027.

However, Adesanya is poised to challenge reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, set to take place on August 17 in Perth, Australia.

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Launches Staunch Defense Of His & Israel Adesanya’s Track Records As Champs: ‘We Wouldn’t Be In The Position We Are Now…’ at MMA News.

Alexander Volkanovski hunts ‘Exciting’ fight with Dustin Poirier at lightweight: ‘He’s a great dude, we get along’

Alexander Volkanovski hunts exciting fight with Dustin Poirier he's a great dudeRecently announcing plans to make a lightweight return if he cannot secure a quickfire featherweight comeback, former champion, Alexander…

Alexander Volkanovski hunts exciting fight with Dustin Poirier he's a great dude

Recently announcing plans to make a lightweight return if he cannot secure a quickfire featherweight comeback, former champion, Alexander Volkanovski has revealed plans to land himself an “exciting” fight against Dustin Poirier

Volkanovski, a former undisputed featherweight titleholder and prior pound-for-pound number one, has been out of action since he headlined UFC 298 back in February, dropping a stunning knockout loss to the unbeaten, Ilia Topuria in the pair’s title clash.

volk 298

And revealing plans to make a 155lbs return in his next outing, Volkanovski weighed up a pairing against former undisputed divisional champion, Charles Oliveira

“So, if there is no title fight until next year [for me] then I need something exciting – maybe Charles Oliveira,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “There are others but I think Michael Chandler will keep waiting for Conor McGregor and I think Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje also want to wait a bit. There is nobody [at featherweight] that excites me, or that I haven’t fought already. And they’ve said my next one there is the title fight.”

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Alexander Volkanovski welcomes Dustin Poirier clash at 155lbs

However, offering to take on Lafayette native, Poirier in the aftermath of the latter’s D’Arce choke submission defeat to Islam Makhachev back in May – upon news of the former interim champion’s plan to make one final Octagon walk, Volkanovski offered to take him on next.

Alex Volkanovski 021824

“You know, I want an exciting fight at [lightweight] – a Charles Oliveira, I did call out (Dustin) Poirier after that one [fight with Islam Makhachev] – I think he’s a great dude, we get a along,” Alexander Volkanovski told FREESTYLEBENDER. “I think he’s a good man, and obviously he’s a big fun fight. There’s still history there with you know, mutual opponents, he’s fought – he used to fight at featherweight. …”

Who wins in a potential lightweight clash: Dustin Poirier or Alexander Volkanovski?

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Alexander Volkanovski weighs up fight with Charles Oliveira in UFC return: ‘I need something exciting’

Alexander Volkanovski calls for fight with Charles Oliveira in UFC return I need something excitingFormer undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has welcomed the idea of a fan-friendly fight with former lightweight titleholder, Charles…

Alexander Volkanovski calls for fight with Charles Oliveira in UFC return I need something exciting

Former undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has welcomed the idea of a fan-friendly fight with former lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira in his return to the UFC later this year – calling for an “exciting” pairing at 155lbs.

Volkanovski, a former undisputed featherweight gold holder and prior pound-for-pound number one, will look to snap a two-fight losing skid in his return to action, most recently headlining UFC 298 back in February.

Alexander Volkanovski offers to fight on short notice at UFC 303 amid Conor McGregor fiasco
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Suffering his first defeat at the featherweight limit, Volkanovski dropped a stunning second round knockout defeat to the unbeaten, Ilia Topuria in Anaheim, losing his undisputed title in the process.

Alexander Volkanovski vows to land UFC Spain rematch with Ilia Topuria it'll be different next time
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And as for former lightweight champion, Oliveira, the Sao Paulo finishing maestro featured on the main card of UFC 300 earlier this year to boot, himself losing a controversial split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan in the pair’s officially-billed title eliminator clash in Las Vegas.

Alexander Volkanovski sounds out Charles Oliveira fight

Likely to miss out on a featherweight title rematch with Topuria next – as the Spaniard lines up a UFC 307 return in Utah against soon-to-be common-opposition, Max Holloway, Volkanovski wants an “exciting” clash in his return – naming a potential bout with Oliveira.

oliveira ufc 300

“I’ve heard Ilia (Topuria) and Max (Holloway) is confirmed so I need to talk with the UFC and see what’s going on,” Alexander Volkanovski said during an interview with Fox Sports Australia. “I’d said I wanted some time off, and the UFC wanted to take some time off, so if that fight is made, I need to be okay with it. I can expect the UFC to wait for me. But if they are going to do Ilia and Max, I just hoped it would be earlier because I want to fight this year, I don’t want to wait.”

“So, if there is no title fight until next year [for me] then I need something exciting – maybe Charles Oliveira,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “There are others but I think Michael Chandler will keep waiting for Conor McGregor and I think Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje also want to wait a bit. There is nobody [at featherweight] that excites me, or that I haven’t fought already. And they’ve said my next one there is the title fight.”

Who wins in a potential fight: Alexander Volkanovski or Charles Oliveira?

Alexander Volkanovski claims his next fight will be for the featherweight title, eyes potential move to 155

Alexander Volkanovski confirms his next fight will be for the featherweight title, eyes potential move to 155Alexander Volkanovski insists his next fight will be for the featherweight title—but a return to lightweight is looking pretty…

Alexander Volkanovski confirms his next fight will be for the featherweight title, eyes potential move to 155

Alexander Volkanovski insists his next fight will be for the featherweight title—but a return to lightweight is looking pretty good.

Volkanovski’s run in the featherweight division is among the greatest runs in all of mixed martial arts history. But as ‘The Great’ learned firsthand, all good things come to an end. After failing in back-to-back attempts to add a second belt to his collection, Volkanovski surrendered the 145-pound crown at UFC 298, suffering a brutal second-round knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria.

Alexander Volkanovski

Since then, Volkanovski has been content to sit on the sidelines, allowing himself to heal while his three-time opponent, Max Holloway, gears up for a title tilt with ‘El Matador’ later this year.

Speaking with ESPN Australia, ‘The Great’ revealed that his next fight inside the Octagon will offer him the opportunity to reclaim the featherweight title—but that doesn’t mean he won’t look to get a little action at lightweight first.

“My next fight at featherweight will be for the title,” Volkanovski said. “It’s just the time. Obviously, I wanted to wait. I don’t know what exactly are the plans. I haven’t been hounding the UFC, just sort of been taking it easy. So, I don’t know if they got plans. I know for a fact my next fight is for the title. Whether something happens before that, and if that’s the case, does that mean I’m waiting too long?

“That’s where I’m like, if that is the case, alright. Maybe if Dustin Poirier [wants to], that would be an incredible fight. Obviously, he’s a good dude with a lot of respect for each other. Big name, very, very fun fight. That’s something, and I just thought I’d put feelers out so you never know. Lightweight division looks good but my next featherweight fight is for the belt” (h/t MMA Mania).

Considering the laundry list of injuries Poirier sustained in his UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makahchev, Volkanovski could be waiting quite a while for a showcase with ‘The Diamond.’

Poirier

Alexander Volkanovski awaits the winner of ilia topuria vs. max holloway

Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria appears to be on a collision course with Holloway, a former featherweight titleholder who recently claimed the promotion’s bragging rights belt—the BMF title— at UFC 300 in April. Following his insane buzzer-beating KO of Justin Gaethje, ‘Blessed’ called for a clash with Topuria. It looks like he’ll get his wish.

No official announcements have been made, but all signs point toward Topuria’s first defense of the featherweight strap going down at UFC 306 when Dana White and Co. head to Sphere in Las Vegas for an event unlike any other in combat sports history.

UFC 306

Volkanovski will likely find himself matched up with the winner sometime in 2025. Will it be a fourth meeting with Max Holloway, or will ‘The Great’ run it back with the No. 5 ranked P4P fighter in the world? Only time will tell.

Alexander Volkanovski offers to fight on short notice at UFC 303 amid Conor McGregor fiasco: ‘I love saving the day’

Alexander Volkanovski offers to fight on short notice at UFC 303 amid Conor McGregor fiascoFormer undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has once more offered to save a high-profile UFC card on just days’…

Alexander Volkanovski offers to fight on short notice at UFC 303 amid Conor McGregor fiasco

Former undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has once more offered to save a high-profile UFC card on just days’ notice later this month – claiming he would “100 per cent” feature at UFC 303 on short notice, amid continued speculation regarding Conor McGregor’s ability to face off with opponent, Michael Chandler.

Volkanovski, a former undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one fighter under the banner of the organization, most recently headlined UFC 298 back in February, dropping a devastating second round knockout defeat against Ilia Topuria in the pair’s featherweight championship clash. 

Replacement fight floated as Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler in jeopardy for UFC 303
Mandatory Credit: Stacy Revere

Prior to that, Volkanovski headlined UFC 294 back in October, suffering a blistering first round knockout loss to Islam Makhachev – after replacing former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira on just days’ notice.

Conor Michael UFC 303

Alexander Volkanovski weighs up UFC 303 comeback

And amid continued speculation regarding a potential issue which may rule former two-weight titleholder, McGregor from a scheduled UFC 303 comeback fight against Chandler later this month, Volkanovski claims he would most definitely face off in a big fight on the same card.

Alex Volkanovski 021824

Yeah, I reckon – 100 per cent,” Alexander Volkanovski told Submission Radio about stepping in on short notice at UFC 303. “As long as it’s a big fight, I won’t just take any fight. That’s a big deal. Save the day as well, I don’t know, I feel like I just love saving the day. I’m just that good of a guy. If I have to save the day, I’ll save the day.”

“Obviously, get paid for it, but you never know,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “I just was muckin’ around with that. I don’t know if – probably nothing even happened. It’s probably just a little hiccups and everyone’s blowing it out of proportion, but I’ll have fun and throw the name out there just for a bit of a laugh.”

Would you like to see Alexander Volkanovski make a short notice return at UFC 303?