Alexander Volkanovski isn’t slicing any corners forward of his return to the Octagon.
After struggling back-to-back knockouts in opposition to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, ‘The Nice’ shall be again in motion on Saturday, April 12 when he meets Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight world title at UFC 314 in Miami.
With a chance to reclaim the crown he misplaced final yr, Volkanovski goes all-in on a strict 14-week weight-reduction plan designed to place him in the absolute best form forward of battle evening.
“I made a decision to try this this time—like 14 weeks out from the battle,” Volkanovski informed Brett Okamoto of ESPN. “And yeah, no cheat meals. Not even a cheat meal. Everybody is aware of I like my meals, however not even a cheat meal, as a result of I need to convey that weight down. I need to be shifting quick. I need to really feel sharp, you understand?
“I need to really feel like me. I don’t need to wait till two weeks out from the battle and be like, ‘All proper, yeah, I really feel sharp once more,’ however have this complete camp of me shifting round like a slob. I didn’t need that. So I used to be like, ‘All proper, we’ll get caught into it.’
Alexander Volkanovski assured he’ll come out on prime at UFC 314
As soon as upon a time, Volkanovski appeared virtually indestructible. Sadly, that’s not the case after seeing ‘The Nice’ lose two of his final three, together with a pair of losses in opposition to Makhachev and an particularly brutal second-round knockout in opposition to Topuria at UFC 298.
Taking some much-needed day off to relaxation and recuperate, Volkanovski is assured that he’ll be again on prime of the featherweight division.
“I’m going to get the belt again, I’m going to defend, and that’s simply going so as to add to my legacy and add to the story,” Volkanovski stated.
Initially, Volkanovski was anticipated to rematch Topuria for the title this yr, however after ‘El Matador’ vacated the belt to pursue gold at 155, ‘The Nice’ will as a substitute be tasked with snapping the five-fight win streak of Diego Lopes.
