Alexander Volkanovski was probably the most energetic champions within the UFC again when he reigned as featherweight king, defending his throne 4 instances in a span of two years in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that he’s again on the prime, beating Diego Lopes for the vacant title at UFC 314 on April 12, he plans on replicating that.
Volkanovski was doubted by some given his age and the actual fact he’s misplaced back-to-back by knockout, falling in entrance of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, however then grew to become the primary fighter older than 35 to win a UFC belt below 155 kilos in Miami.
“I’m not going to do something too loopy,” Volkanovski stated on the post-fight press convention when requested for his future plans. “Everybody’s going to at all times rise up me for that quick discover. I’ll do it once more, you already know what I imply? That’s simply how it’s. Lots of people are going to hold on, however that’s who I’m. This man that challenges himself when his again’s towards a wall and all the percentages are stacked towards him, I’m nonetheless making an attempt to provide it a crack.
“And that very same man with that very same mindset and mentality turns up within the fitness center each single f*cking day. If I’m not going to try this shit, I wouldn’t be the champion I’m. I’m okay with that. There’s no knock in any respect on my crew for letting me do this. It was my determination. They backed me and let me do it as a result of they know who I’m and what I’m able to. It didn’t prove, however like I stated, that’s simply, I may be cussed.”
With bruises throughout his face following a five-round battle with Lopes, the Australian star left it up for the promotion’s matchmakers to resolve when his subsequent battle will happen, however didn’t sound that eager about ready till September to defend it towards Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez on the subsequent Noche UFC pay-per-view in Guadalajara.
“I imply, if every little thing’s good, I’d most likely wish to go quickly,” Volkanovski stated. “Faster than that, to be sincere. That’s most likely the second battle. So possibly it may be, if I’m good, possibly I get the battle, possibly July or September. Yeah, we are able to possibly slot in. Movsar [Evloev], in the event that they need to do this, in the event that they need to rapidly go and I really feel good, possibly fast turnaround with Movsar if I don’t have busted palms. We’ll see. Like I stated, that was my plan. Bang, bang, bang. However I didn’t anticipate to get hit this a lot. Credit score to f*cking Diego.”
“I’ve bought to have a look at just a few issues,” he added. “I’ll get X-rays, I’ll take a look immediately. If every little thing’s all good, cuts will heal fairly fast. Give me a few weeks and I’ll be again at it. I’ll nonetheless be doing stuff even once I get again house. Like stated, I’m an expert, I’m disciplined. I’ll hold working. I’ll discuss to the UFC and we’ll see what occurs.”
Rodriguez, a former interim champion himself, beat former Bellator king Patricio Pitbull earlier that night time at UFC 314, however then misplaced t o Volkanovski by way of third-round stoppage when making an attempt to unify golds. Rodriguez rebounded with the Pitbull win after shedding two straight towards Volkanovski and Brian Ortega, and “The Nice” is uncertain if “Pantera” deserves to be subsequent as an alternative of undefeated Evloev.
“Look, he’s a very good dude. I like him so much,” Volkanovski stated of Rodriguez. “If the UFC desires to provide it to him, I ain’t gonna cease that for him. I’ll be sincere, earlier than that battle, I didn’t assume if he received, he can be getting a shot. I’ll be sincere, that didn’t come to thoughts. However now that he’s calling, I’m not going to be the one to say no. I’m going to depart every little thing to the UFC.”
“Clearly, you’ve bought guys like Movsar, who’s undefeated. I’d like to take that zero,” he continued. “We’ve bought to see what the UFC say. I even seen him tweeting that he desires to battle somebody in Could and doing all this type of stuff, so possibly he’s had the chats they usually need him to have yet another battle. So I don’t know that state of affairs, however I’ll see how issues are. I’d like to say I need to get straight again in there. I nonetheless do. However I’m gonna should possibly take a look at a few issues.”
When it’s all stated and accomplished, turning into UFC champion once more and holding the belt isn’t crucial for Volkanovski.
“To be sincere, it’s not in regards to the title,” Volkanovski stated. “It’s not likely in regards to the belt, however successful, staying on prime, being profitable, you already know what I imply? This represents much more. I’m within the fitness center busting my ass daily. You’re sacrificing a lot. What am I doing it for? Clearly to be one of the best. This represents that, which is nice.
“[This belt] is simply gonna sit within the closet like the opposite one, you already know what imply? However what it represents and what I’ve accomplished is that’s particular. That’s extra particular to me. Me taking this again to my household, buddies… Possibly that’s why it hasn’t correctly settled in. As a result of I need to soak it up with my household and buddies and everyone again house as a result of which means extra to me. After I see all that, that’s what actually hits for me. This wrapped round me, that don’t actually give a f*ck, to be sincere.”
