UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is on a 19 fight win streak, capped by taking the title from Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision, and then defending it successfully in the immediate rematch via Split Decision. The final win was controversial, but during a recent virtual appearance on ESPN’S Now or Never show, “The Great” said there is no reason for an immediate trilogy fight.
At this point, right now, it doesn’t make sense, said Volkanovski. I did say [I wanted a decisive win], obviously leading up to the fight, trying to hype the fight up, but we all know Max is durable. So we’re well aware that taking him out is difficult to do. But at the same time, the majority of the rounds out of the two fights clearly show that I won seven or eight of them. Again, very competitive rounds so you’ve got to give credit to Max, but at the same time, winning two back to back, it would be silly to do a rematch.
I said as soon as I got the belt, I want number one contenders. I want the guys that are next in line. So if Max takes a few guys out and there is no one else left and it’s him, he’s that number one guy, I’ll take that fight. Again, that’s what I want to do. I’m an easy champion to understand. I want number one contenders, plain and simple. No beating around the bush. Give me the guys that are next in line, the guys that deserve it, and let’s go.
Look, there’s a couple of guys that their names are getting thrown around a fair bit. You’ve got Zombie and Zabit Magomedsharipov. I think they’re pretty big fights but again, they’re both probably just one fight away from getting that title shot. I’ve heard Zabit’s planned to fight Yair Rodriguez and Zombie is planning on fighting Brian Ortega. They are two massive fights. Whoever wins them and wins in wild fashion, I’m sure everyone will be screaming their name. Everyone is gonna be saying, ‘That’s the guy.’ Everyone is going to be hyping that fight up and that’s gonna be the fight that everyone wants to see.
I just think those are the biggest fights and make the most sense, but we’ll just have to play it out. I just fought. I don’t need an opponent right now. I’ve still got time to let this division play out. So we’ll just wait and see and hopefully, I’ll have someone by the end of the year.
What do you think UG? If there’s an argument for an immediate trilogy fight, make it here. And if there isn’t, who do you want “The Great” to fight next?
Here’s the current top 10:
1. Max Holloway
2. Zabit Magomedsharipov
3. Brian Ortega
4. Chan Sung Jung
5. Yair Rodriguez
6. Calvin Kattar
7. Frankie Edgar
7. Josh Emmett
9. Jeremy Stephens
10. Dan Ige
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=een66ybPZv8
h/t Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting
