After his disappointing outing at UFC 294, Alexander
Volkanovski is keen to get back into the cage as quickly as
possible.
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“The Great” recently stepped up on 10 days’ notice to make his
second bid for lightweight gold against Islam
Makhachev on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev delivered a
highlight-reel head kick knockout in the opening frame to defend
his throne and simultaneously hand Volkanovski (26-3) his first
stoppage loss in the UFC.
Prior to the booking of his short notice clash against Makhachev,
“The Great” had been confirmed to defend his featherweight title
against Ilia
Topuria at UFC 297 in January. Many, including former UFC
double champ Henry
Cejudo, have advised Volkanovski against keeping that date.
However, Volkanovski plans on fighting the undefeated Georgian
contender two months removed from his first UFC KO loss. The
35-year-old also confirmed that he hasn’t suffered any concussions,
which Cejudo thought he did. Volkanovski said on his YouTube
channel:
“I talked to the UFC and I said keep me busy, and I say that
because, again, I’m in my prime, I need to fight. A lot of people
are like, ‘He needs a break and this.’ I don’t need a break. I want
to get back in camp. I obviously talked to doctors to make sure
there’s no concussion, the stitches and what not, but like I said,
I’m the best version of myself inside and outside the cage when I
have a clear direction. And clear direction is having a fight. I
think January still looks great to me. Ilia
Topuria is obviously a very exciting fight, and I can shift all
of my attention to that. You’re going to see a better version of
myself in January, I promise you that. I cannot wait for it. Again,
I’m all good, and thank you all for the support.”
UFC 297 takes place Jan. 20, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Assuming the Volkanovski-Topuria title fight remains on the bill,
it is set to headline a main card featuring a clash between top
featherweight contenders Arnold
Allen and Movsar
Evloev that may well determine the next challenger for the
winner.