Alexander Volkanovski was one of the lively champions within the UFC again when he reigned as featherweight king, defending his throne 4 occasions in a span of two years in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that he’s again on the high, 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 turned 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 stand up me for that quick discover. I’ll do it once more, you recognize 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 in opposition to a wall and all the chances are stacked in opposition to him, I’m nonetheless attempting to present it a crack.
“And that very same man with that very same mindset and mentality turns up within the gymnasium each single f*cking day. If I’m not going to do this shit, I wouldn’t be the champion I’m. I’m okay with that. There’s no knock in any respect on my group for letting me try 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 will 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 struggle will happen, however didn’t sound that all in favour of ready till September to defend it in opposition to Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez on the subsequent Noche UFC pay-per-view in Guadalajara.
“I imply, if every thing’s good, I’d in all probability prefer to go quickly,” Volkanovski stated. “Faster than that, to be trustworthy. That’s in all probability the second struggle. So possibly it may be, if I’m good, possibly I get the struggle, possibly July or September. Yeah, we will possibly slot in. Movsar [Evloev], in the event that they wish to try this, in the event that they wish 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 received to take a look at just a few issues,” he added. “I’ll get X-rays, I’ll take a look right away. If every 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 after I get again dwelling. Like stated, I’m an expert, I’m disciplined. I’ll preserve working. I’ll speak to the UFC and we’ll see what occurs.”
Rodriguez, a former interim champion himself, beat former Bellator king Patricio Pitbull earlier that evening at UFC 314, however then misplaced t o Volkanovski through third-round stoppage when attempting to unify golds. Rodriguez rebounded with the Pitbull win after shedding two straight in opposition to 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 great dude. I like him quite a bit,” Volkanovski stated of Rodriguez. “If the UFC desires to present it to him, I ain’t gonna cease that for him. I’ll be trustworthy, earlier than that struggle, I didn’t assume if he gained, he can be getting a shot. I’ll be trustworthy, 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 thing to the UFC.”
“Clearly, you’ve received guys like Movsar, who’s undefeated. I’d like to take that zero,” he continued. “We’ve received to see what the UFC say. I even seen him tweeting that he desires to struggle 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 struggle. So I don’t know that scenario, however I’ll see how issues are. I’d like to say I wish 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 finished, turning into UFC champion once more and holding the belt isn’t a very powerful for Volkanovski.
“To be trustworthy, it’s not concerning the title,” Volkanovski stated. “It’s probably not concerning the belt, however successful, staying on high, being profitable, you recognize what I imply? This represents much more. I’m within the gymnasium 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 recognize what imply? However what it represents and what I’ve finished is that’s particular. That’s extra particular to me. Me taking this again to my household, pals… Perhaps that’s why it hasn’t correctly settled in. As a result of I wish to soak it up with my household and pals and all people again dwelling as a result of meaning 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 trustworthy.”
