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Alexander Volkanovski is ready to make another run at the lightweight title.
And for good reason. He knows his history.
The 34-year-old Volkanovski, who turns 35 in September, is astutely aware that an expiration date exists on his reign of dominance. It was easy to dismiss that fact this past weekend as he completely and utterly controlled Yair Rodríguez at UFC 290, but it does not change the inevitable.
A time will arrive when Volkanovski loses his speed or gets caught–or even is beat by a better opponent. So he plans to make the most of his time atop the fight world.
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll be on top,” says Volkanovski. “I’m in my peak. How long is that going to last? So let’s get to work.”
After lapping the featherweight division, Volkanovski wants a second title. He moved up to lightweight in February, but fell just short of defeating reigning champ Islam Makhachev. But with Makhachev in need of an opponent this October in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294, the door that was slightly ajar has swung wide open.
“I’m not ruling that out,” says Volkanovski. “I need to get back in there soon.”
Volkanovski (26-2) was never in trouble against Rodríguez at 290. That was markedly different from the bout against Makhachev, who earned himself three rounds on the scorecard in a unanimous decision victory.
But it wasn’t easy for Makhachev. Volkanovski tested him in their first bout, forcing Makhachev to strike and challenging him on the ground, as well as bringing him to the fifth round for the first time in his career. And after vowing to return to his feet after a Makhachev takedown, Volkanovski lived up to his word.
“He lived up to the hype, I lived up to the hype, that fight lived up to the hype,” says Volkanovski. “We all know I want that rematch. I want that Islam fight. If we go again, it’s going to be another highly contested battle, but I guarantee I get my hand raised.”
If there is a rematch, Volkanovski must continue to inflict damage with his southpaw stance.
“We’ve done five rounds, and there’s a good chance you might see another five rounds,” says Volkanovski. “I’d love to get a finish, but we’re both that good–it might be that kind of fight. It’s another challenge that excites me. It’s exciting to have a guy like that in front of me. He got his hand raised, so there are things I know I need to work on.”
Following his victory at 290, Volkanovski revealed that he is dealing with an arm injury that requires minor surgery. Clearly, it was not a debilitating issue against Rodríguez, who he finished in the third round.
“It’s not a big deal,” says Volkanovski. “It will be quick. This ain’t a broken bone. I just need to get something sorted. I want to be active–I’ll be back in there before most of the other champions.”
Another option for Volkanovski is a featherweight title defense against the surging, undefeated Ilia Topuria. Yet, for all his success, the only real contender Topuria defeated thus far is Josh Emmett. If Topuria can defeat a featherweight staple like Max Holloway this winter, then his claim for a title shot would be far more difficult to deny.
“I’m going to squash that bloke,” says Volkanovski. “So it doesn’t matter.”
Power Slap prominently featured in Jon Jones-Stipe Miocic fight announcement
Dana White made headlines last weekend with the news that Jon Jones will be defending the heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden on November 11. During that announcement, you may have noticed the backdrop in the video promoted White’s newest endeavor: Power Slap.
IT’S OFFICIALLY HAPPENING 🚨@JonnyBones vs @StipeMiocic for the heavyweight title will headline #UFC295 at Madison Square Garden!! pic.twitter.com/Que6RwEjo4
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2023
Power Slap 3 ran this past Friday, with Ron “Wolverine” Bata defeating Ayjay Hintz to win the light heavyweight title. That was the main event to a four-bout main card, and the unanimous decision victory made Bata, already having a reign as heavyweight champ, Power Slap’s first-ever champion in multiple divisions.
Plenty of vitriol still surrounds Power Slap, but so does growing support. There are sharp parallels to the UFC product that White oversaw more than two decades ago, which was considered a pariah in its attempt to break in to mainstream sports. Clearly, that has changed, as the UFC is a powerhouse entity that continues to make extraordinary sums of money.
White is taking a unique approach with Power Slap. The production levels for the events are incredibly high, and he is embracing influencers to help highlight his product. Power Slap is going to be a significant part of the UFC’s future, as evidenced by that Jones-Miocic video.
Robbie Lawler ends career in magnificent fashion
Robbie Lawler ended his career in style, knocking out Niko Price in only 38 seconds on Saturday at UFC 290.
The bout aired on ABC in the last fight of the prelims, a highly visible spot for the retiring Lawler.
A former UFC welterweight champion, Lawler (30-16, 1 NC) forever has a place in fight lore after his 2015 clash against Rory MacDonald. He made his UFC debut in 2002 (bonus trivia points if you knew it took place against Aaron Riley at UFC 37), then crafted a career that will end with an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Lawler looked finished after he lost four straight bouts that spanned the 2017-2020 timeframe. But he responded with a shellacking of Nick Diaz in 2021 (a rematch, incredibly, from 17 years prior), and, including that victory, ultimately won two of his last three bouts.
Back by the end of the year https://t.co/iwZu0HWjln
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 9, 2023
Despite Conor McGregor joking that Lawler will be back before the year’s end, the win against Price ends Lawler’s career in perfect fashion.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
