LAS VEGAS – Alexander Volkanovski wants another crack at the UFC lightweight belt, and Dana White just can’t see himself saying no.
It’s going to be tough for White, president of the UFC, to deny Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) another opportunity at becoming a two-division UFC champion given his most recent showing. Volkanovski defended his UFC featherweight title yet again, stopping dangerous striker Yair Rodriguez (16-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 290.
The logistics for another move up to 155 pounds might be tough at the moment, because after the fight Volkanovski revealed he needs surgery. In addition, the title picture at lightweight seems murky, so there is a lot to figure out.
“Yeah, I don’t know, let’s see how his surgery goes and what happens,” White told reporters at the UC 290 post-fight press conference. “He’s at one of those places in his career that whatever he wants to do, what are you going to say? This guy has literally proven himself a million times. Many people believe he won the Islam fight. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll probably roll with it.”
As far as the performance itself from Volkanovski, White was taken away. The Australian has up five consecutive title defenses and established himself as arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
“Total domination,” White said. “I can’t remember if it was a big, straight right hand or left hand, he took, it looked like it shook him a little bit, but he didn’t even stop going. I mean, yeah, he put on an unbelievable performance tonight.
“Yair is so talented. Volk even at the end started to strike with him, staying on the outside. Yair was trying to keep him on the outside, hitting him with some big shots, and Volk was standing with him. The guy is an absolute freak. Extremely talented.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.
