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Alexander Volkanovski vows to turn in ‘Real’ performance in rematch with Ilia Topuria: ‘Let’s see if he can handle that’

Alexander Volkanovski vows to turn in real performance in rematch with Ilia Topuria let's see if he's ready for it Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski knows he wasn’t himself in his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria back in…

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski knows he wasn’t himself in his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria back in February.

Volkanovski was coming off a KO loss to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt as he was dropping back down to featherweight where he was the champ. Against Topuria, Volkanovski was timid and in the second round, Topuria landed a big shot that knocked him out.

With Alexander Volkanovski likely getting a rematch against Ilia Topuria in his next fight, in the rematch, he vows to be his real self and won’t be timid like he was in the first fight.

Islam Makhachev claims Alex Volkanovski returned too soon in KO loss to Islam Makhachev — Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

“Ilia is a great fighter – let’s see because the next Volkanovski is going to turn up,” Alexander Volkanovski told The AllStar. “The real Volkanovski, I guarantee you that, and let’s see if Ilia can handle that. Again, I’m not taking anything away from him, I’m not saying he can’t. He’s obviously got heavy hands. He’s obviously got good skill, but I want him to be tested against the best version of myself or all the top guys and really prove himself…”

“You’re not going to see a timid Volk. You’re going to see a Volk that fights his fight,” Volkanovski said. “You want to be put in front of me and put yourself in a position to land bombs, be ready for one coming straight back at you.”

When the potential rematch would happen is uncertain, as Topuria could face Max Holloway next time out, as Volkanovski is taking time off to let his brain heal.

Alexander Volkanovski thinks Max Holloway could make Ilia Topuria fight look ‘easy’

Although Alexander Volkanovski will fight for the belt in his return, it may not be against Ilia Topuria.

Ilia Topuria eyes biggest fight in history against Conor McGregor in UFC Spain debut — Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

Topuria could face Holloway next in his first title defense, and if that fight does happen, Volkanovski thinks Holloway wins and could make it look easy.

“I also believe Max can go out there and make that fight look easy. … I think Max wins that fight. Topuria is very dangerous, a great fighter. But I don’t think he’s as good as he thinks he is. And of course he caught me, right? So I can’t really say much. So I need to show everyone. I know I can do it, too. And I’m also quite confident Max can too, which is why I didn’t want him fighting Topuria before I did,” Volkanovski said to Fox Sports Australia.

If that does happen, however, it’s uncertain if Topuria would get an immediate rematch, or if Volkanovski will get his title shot next time out.

3 Ways Dustin Poirier Can Upset Islam Makhachev at UFC 302

This Saturday, in the main event of UFC 303, Dustin Poirier will make what is most likely his final bid at the promotion’s lightweight title. He has even gone…

Alexander Volkanovski offers to serve as backup for Conor McGregor return at UFC 303: ‘I probably would’

Alexander Volkanovski says he’s staying ready as he’s open to filling in at UFC 303 to face Conor McGregor…

Alexander Volkanovski says he’s staying ready as he’s open to filling in at UFC 303 to face Conor McGregor in case something happens to Michael Chandler.

Volkanovski has not fought since February when he got knocked out by Ilia Topuria to lose his featherweight title. After the loss, Volkanovski said he was going to take time off to let his brain heal.

But, Volkanovski is back in the gym and says he’s ready to step in at UFC 303 if needed.

“You find me an exciting fight, maybe in the lightweight division, or something like that, that’s fun, maybe. I don’t want to wait too long… I mean I’ve told myself I wouldn’t do it, but to capitalize on a massive opportunity, lightweight because I know featherweight is going to be there, against Conor McGregor I still probably would, you just put that scenario there, maybe I will,” Alexander Volkanovski said to The AllStar.

If Chandler does have to pull out of his UFC 303 fight against McGregor, several fighters would be jumping at the chance to secure that fight. But, Volkanovski says he would be open to that fight, as he knows him vs. McGregor would be a fight many fans want to see given both are former featherweight champs.

Alexander Volkanovski backed to make UFC return despite KO loss he has no symptoms

Alexander Volkanovski shares prediction for UFC 302 main event

Alexander Volkanovski has shared his prediction for the UFC 302 lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Volkanovski fought Makhachev twice for the lightweight title so he is familiar with him.

With Volkanovski having experienced what Makhachev is like in there, he expects the champ to retain his belt with a stoppage win over Poirier.

Conor McGregor confirms negotiations for new UFC contract ahead of return let's see what happens — Mandatory Credit: Stacy Revere

“Islam’s going to be too good,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I think he’s too safe of a fighter to make mistakes where he’s going to get caught against someone like Dustin Poirier. Dustin Poirier is a great fighter. I just think it’s a hard fight for anybody and I don’t see anyone beating Islam for a while – unless they catch him, right?.. I think Islam is that good where it’s going to be a finish. I think it’s going to be a submission finish.”

Makhachev is the sizeable -625 favorite to defeat Volkanovski.

Alexander Volkanovski offers to serve as backup for Conor McGregor return at UFC 303: ‘I probably would’

Alexander Volkanovski says he’s staying ready as he’s open to filling in at UFC 303 to face Conor McGregor…

Alexander Volkanovski says he’s staying ready as he’s open to filling in at UFC 303 to face Conor McGregor in case something happens to Michael Chandler.

But, Volkanovski is back in the gym and says he’s ready to step in at UFC 303 if needed.

Alexander Volkanovski shares prediction for UFC 302 main event

With Volkanovski having experienced what Makhachev is like in there, he expects the champ to retain his belt with a stoppage win over Poirier.

Makhachev is the sizeable -625 favorite to defeat Volkanovski.

Alexander Volkanovski picks Islam Makhachev to finish Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: ‘It’s gonna be a submission’

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wouldn’t be surprised if Dustin Poirier caught Islam Makhachev and knocked him out…

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wouldn’t be surprised if Dustin Poirier caught Islam Makhachev and knocked him out at UFC 302.

Poirier is set to face Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey on June 1. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a sizeable underdog, but Volkanovski, who fought Makhachev twice, thinks the champ fights safe, which could allow Poirier the chance to catch the champ.

Dustin Poirier vows to knock out Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 the ref's gonna be pulling me off of him — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Islam’s gonna be too good,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I think he’s too safe of a fighter to make mistakes where he’s gonna get caught against someone like Dustin Poirier. Dustin Poirier is a great fighter. I just think it’s a hard fight for anybody and I don’t see anyone beating Islam for a while. Unless they catch him, right?”

Makhachev’s lone career loss is by knockout, while Poirier has won 15 times by knockout, so KO’ing the champ isn’t out of the question.

Alexander Volkanovski explains how Dustin Poirier could catch Islam Makhachev

Although Dustin Poirier is a big underdog heading into UFC 302, Alexander Volkanovski says Islam Makhachev’s style does play into Poirier.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire in two years by Daniel Cormier uFC — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace

Volkanovski believes the way Makhachev sets up his takedowns could allow Dustin Poirier to land an uppercut or knee which could hurt the champ.

“He doesn’t like to come in straight when he feels in danger,” Volkanovski said of Makhachev. “He’ll make sure he’s off center. His head is off line and then he gets himself back into a better posture as he’s taking you down. Khabib was like this as well. The posture is not right, but he’s doing this to keep his head off center and not in the firing line, and he still does a great takedown from there.

Alexander Volkanovski calls for UFC 300 title rematch with Islam Makhachev that makes sense

“But now he’s gonna be doing that with a southpaw fighter. So you dip, you’re gonna be a lot more comfortable shooting. So if someone pressures you and gets you off guard, or your instinct reaction is to shoot, most of the time you’re shooting against orthodox fighters, your head’s gonna dip to that side. Now you’re dipping to the power side of Poirier because he’s southpaw. Power side uppercuts, power side kicks, power side knees,” Volkanovski added.

If Poirier does KO Makhachev it would be one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history.

Alexander Volkanovski welcomes fourth fight with Max Holloway: ‘Now that he’s got the BMF belt, we might have to do this’

Despite holding three victories over fellow former featherweight champion, Max Holloway, Australian favorite, Alexander Volkanovski has welcomed the chance…

Despite holding three victories over fellow former featherweight champion, Max Holloway, Australian favorite, Alexander Volkanovski has welcomed the chance to fight the Hawaiian for a fourth time – particularly now the latter holds the symbolic BMF title.

Volkanovski, a former undisputed featherweight champion and a prior pound-for-pound number one under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 298 back in February in Anaheim.

And dropping his first loss at 145lbs since his move to the Dana White-led organization, Volkanovski’s impressive title run at featherweight was halted in blistering fashion by the unbeaten, Ilia Topuria – who finished the New South Wales native with a stunning second round KO.

As for Holloway, the former featherweight kingpin most recently featured at UFC 300 last month, scoring a brutal fifth round highlight-reel knockout win over Justin Gaethje to win the previously noted BMF belt.

Alexander Volkanovski welcomes BMF clash with Max Holloway

Weighing up potential title fights against both champions, Islam Makhachev, and Ilia Topuria, respectively – Holloway may have a chance to fight Volkanovski in the future for a fourth time – given his recent BMF title acquisition.

gettyimages 2148564266 612x612 1 — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“Would I fight him (Max Holloway) a fourth time? I mean, now that he’s got a BMF [title] we might have to do this, you know what I mean?” Alexander Volkanovski told Australian outlet, Main Event TV on Fox Sports. “I was always thinking, ‘How could you do it [a fourth fight]?’ But maybe there is that something there – I mean, there’s a BMF [title] now.”

“Maybe it’s like, for me – it’s 3-0, how can you get yourself out of bed for that?” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “A BMF [title] is something I haven’t touched before, so you know? Maybe we can do that, you know? So we’ll see what happens.”

Would you like to see Alexander Volkanovski face Max Holloway for a fourth time?