Had Alexander Volkanovski got his way, he’d be the face of UFC 303’s pay-per-view top bill. More to it, he’d face Michael Chandler in his return fight. The fan-favorite Aussie is always ready to pitch in. He did just so in a scenario without Conor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena. Nevertheless, that is not concerning. What is concerning is whether the top brass called him for it.
In a conversation via the Freestylebender YT channel, he doubled down on wanting former or currently active lightweights like McGregor or Dustin Poirier. Moreover, Alexander Volkanovski revealed the relationship he has with the UFC. The nature of the relationship meant that the UFC didn’t bother Volk to prepare for another short-notice main event fight.
I rang them, so I was pestering them… They didn’t call me; I think they just have a respect for me because they probably knew that I would say yes… They’re like ‘You’re a savage’, and I go ‘No I’m serious’ – ‘We know you are!’
Alexander Volkanovski via the Freestylebender YT channel
Conor McGregor is a consensus buyout king. Out on a three-year layoff after his leg break, he still boasts 2 out of 5 highest live gates in UFC history. The anticipation of his return event had already capped off $20 million in projected live gate revenue. All either want to face him or undercard him. However, Alexander Volkanovski is built differently.
While the short-notice call failed to materialize, Volkanovski revealed plans to stay active through the next 9-12 months. He is a sure-shot contender for the featherweight gold and awaits the winner of the projected Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria. 3-0 against Holloway and eligible for a title rematch, he is eyeing a return to lightweight.
Alexander Volkanovski iterates on the mentality behind wanting to pitch in for UFC 303
UFC 303: Pereira vs Prochazka 2, Live from T-Mobile Arena, is now in the books. While it didn’t become Conor McGregor’s return event, the card prevailed, and how! The new short-notice king, Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira, subbed in for a second fight in two months without the extensively long camp to make his second-ever defense at light heavyweight.
Alexander Volkanovski could have been the face of UFC 303 instead of ‘Poatan’ or Conor McGregor (Source: X/es.agfight.com)Before that, though, Alexander Volkanovski raised his hand (cue in the gasps). The Aussie fighter suffered a brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. This was his second knockout in a row after the UFC 294 short-notice loss. Two knockout losses meant taking much time away from the sport to heal. Nevertheless, Volk didn’t refuse to even think about health when McGregor pulled out.
I did put my hand up, I said if you need a guy…Some people think I’m mad, but I’m back in training now and I’m excited to get back in there, so that’s all it takes, just a little thing like that and I put my hand up.
Alexander Volkanovski via his Official YouTube Channel
Volkanovski is committed to his plan to return at year’s end. But in hindsight, the five-time defending champion still considers he is the kind of competitor who could do it all. Turning 36 years old in September, ‘The Great’ wanted in before top brass called on the services of Pereira.
Contenders like Brian Ortega have sought out a move to lightweight because of the title fight claims for Holloway and Volkanovski. As such, the title shot remains in sight, but the body has to heal before trying to avenge the first career featherweight loss.
