Alexander Volkanovski aims to return by the end of 2024, focusing on a featherweight title fight but is open to exciting lightweight matchups in the interim while waiting for his shot at reclaiming the 145-pound belt.
Alexander Volkanovski is eyeing a return to action by the end of 2024. However, he’s only interested in going back to featherweight if there’s a title on the line.
Following a stunning loss to Ilia Topuria in February, which cost him the 145-pound belt, Volkanovski began calling for an immediate rematch. He also knew he needed time off to recover from back-to-back knockouts.
During Volkanovski’s much-deserved hiatus, Max Holloway pulled off a jaw-dropping knockout over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Holloway then declared plans to return to featherweight with hopes of challenging Topuria for the title.
Holloway will likely get his wish, with all signs pointing toward a matchup against Topuria at UFC 306 in September. That leaves Volkanovski as the odd man out, but he’s understanding given the situation and has other plans in mind.
“Things that excite me, in featherweight it’s just the belt,” Volkanovski said on Israel Adesanya’s YouTube channel. “Obviously the rematch [with Ilia Topuria] and the belt, right? That’s big.”
“But lightweight, let’s have some fun while we’re waiting,” he added. “They’re probably going to do Max [Holloway] and Ilia in September.”
Volkanovski took two stabs at winning the UFC lightweight title but came up short both times with losses to Islam Makhachev. Those setbacks won’t stop him from returning to 155 pounds.
“I did say I don’t want to wait too long either,” Volkanovski explained. “If they want me to fight bloody March or something or April, I’m going to fight at lightweight.”
“So I want an exciting fight like a Charles Oliveira,” he continued. “I did call out [Dustin] Poirier… He’s a great dude… obviously he’s a big fun fight.”
Neither Oliveira nor Poirier have been booked for a fight since competing in April and June respectively. So those options could potentially be available for Volkanovski.
He’s never shied away from seeking out competition from different weight divisions. Now might be the perfect time to explore those possibilities.
With Holloway and Topuria most likely meeting before year-end, Volkanovksi would almost certainly have to wait until 2025 for another shot at the featherweight title. So getting a matchup at lightweight could be ideal for staying busy and earning a hefty payday.
“Just whatever excites me,” Volkanosvki said. “The belt excites me… Ilia rematch obviously excites me… At lightweight, we can have a bit of fun.”