Alexander Volkanovski is closely monitoring the co-main event of UFC 289 happening this weekend.
As the reigning UFC featherweight champion, Volkanovski is preparing to defend his title next month against interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 on July 8 in Las Vegas. Despite his recent loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski still feels there is unfinished business for him at 155 pounds.
Volkanovski’s lightweight title shot earlier this year caused top contender Beneil Dariush to wait longer for his first opportunity to fight for the UFC gold. If Dariush defeats Charles Oliveira at UFC 289, it is highly likely that he will be the next challenger for Makhachev’s title.
“This is a significant fight,” Volkanovski stated on his YouTube channel. “We all know that Beneil deserves a shot at the title. He probably deserved it even before, but I had to do my thing, and I still plan on doing something, so you never know what might happen there.”
The outcome of this fight holds great importance for both Dariush and Oliveira. Oliveira’s last loss was against Makhachev in a title fight, although he had an impressive reign as the champion. Volkanovski acknowledged Oliveira’s multiple title wins, some of which were closely contested before he secured the victories in exciting bouts.
Oliveira aims to bounce back against the surging Dariush, who is currently on an eight-fight winning streak. While Oliveira’s 11-fight undefeated streak was halted by Makhachev, Dariush extended his winning streak by defeating Mateusz Gamrot via unanimous decision on the same night.
This matchup has been scheduled multiple times before, and fans, as well as fighters like Volkanovski, have had ample time to analyze how it could unfold.
“For both of their careers, this is the right fight,” Volkanovski commented. “I think Charles is looking to make a statement against the next guy. Beneil is in incredible form at the moment, showcasing his skills and fight IQ. It’s going to be an exciting one.”
While Beneil is considered the favorite, Volkanovski acknowledged that Charles possesses the ability to finish fights through submissions and TKOs. However, he believes it will be challenging to submit a resilient and durable opponent like Dariush, who is also a black belt himself. Nevertheless, Volkanovski leaned towards Charles Oliveira as his pick for the fight, predicting a TKO victory.
Although Volkanovski was unable to achieve his goal of becoming a double champion in his first attempt, his impressive performance in the lightweight division has sparked ongoing discussions. He firmly believes he did enough to win and is eager to prove it when the time is right for everyone involved.
Makhachev is expected to defend his title at UFC 294 on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. This timeframe allows the winner of Oliveira vs. Dariush, as well as Volkanovski if he defeats Rodriguez, sufficient time to prepare. Volkanovski revealed that he already had the option to wait for his rematch after his loss, but he didn’t want to remain inactive for the entire middle of 2023.
“Let’s see what’s next for the winner because, you know, I still want that lightweight title,” Volkanovski expressed. “It’s definitely something I’m aiming for. It’s just a matter of timing. If the winner of this fight quickly gets another fight, then maybe I fight the winner a bit later. The timing still works for that. So, I’m open to whatever the best timing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about lightweight title aspirations
What is Alexander Volkanovski’s current focus in the UFC?
Alexander Volkanovski’s current focus in the UFC is his desire to pursue the lightweight title.
When is Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight title?
Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title next month at UFC 290 on July 8 against interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez.
Why does Alexander Volkanovski still want the lightweight title?
Despite his recent loss to Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski feels he has unfinished business at 155 pounds and believes he deserves a shot at the lightweight title.
Who does Alexander Volkanovski think will be next in line for Makhachev?
If Charles Oliveira wins his fight against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289, Alexander Volkanovski believes it is likely that Dariush will be next in line for a title shot against Makhachev.
What does Alexander Volkanovski think about the Oliveira vs. Dariush matchup?
Alexander Volkanovski sees the Oliveira vs. Dariush matchup as an important fight for both fighters’ careers. He considers Beneil Dariush the favorite but believes Charles Oliveira has the potential to finish the fight through submission or TKO.
When does Alexander Volkanovski plan to pursue the lightweight title?
Alexander Volkanovski is open to pursuing the lightweight title when the timing is right for all parties involved. He wants to ensure that he doesn’t remain inactive for an extended period and is willing to wait for the best opportunity to make his move.
More about lightweight title aspirations
- UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez Fight Card
- Islam Makhachev’s UFC Profile
- Beneil Dariush’s UFC Profile
- Charles Oliveira’s UFC Profile
- UFC Lightweight Division Rankings
- Alexander Volkanovski’s YouTube Channel
