Alexander
Volkanovski was an interested observer during the UFC Fight
Night 180 headliner – and for good reason.
Brian
Ortega’s unanimous decision victory over Chan Sung
Jung provided some much-needed clarity in the featherweight
title picture. That pleased Volkanovski, who previously had been
forced to consider the possibility of a third meeting with Max
Holloway despite two victories against the Hawaiian star.
“Finally we have some direction in this division, get in there and
take that [No. 1] spot…that’s all I wanted,” Volkanovski wrote on
Twitter.
Finally we have some direction in this
division, get in there and take that #1 spot….that’s all I
wanted!!
#ufcfightisland6— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski)
October 18, 2020
Volkanovski’s first victory over Holloway was more decisive than
his most recent, a contentious split decision at UFC 251 in July.
Even UFC president Dana White questioned the judging for the
rematch at the time and later
indicated that a trilogy could be in store.
More recently, however, White
confirmed that the Ortega-Jung matchup would yield the
division’s next No. 1 contender.
“It’s absolutely a No. 1 contender fight,” White told ESPN before
the event. “First of all, this fight should have happened a long
time ago. We’re finally here. All the crazy stuff that’s happened.
Crazy stuff always happens in this sport. Zombie [Jung] vs. Ortega.
Absolutely, the winner of this fight should be the next title
shot.”