Alexander Volkanovski confident he can keep two divisions busy
19/10/2023 18:47
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has a chance to win the lightweight title this weekend in the UFC 294 main even when he takes on titleholder Islam Makhachev in a rematch.
"The Great" stepped up on 11 days notice to accept the fight after former champion Charles Oliveira was forced out due to a nasty cut. If he wins, Volkanovski will have to defend both titles and he's confident that he can.
"A lot of people want to talk about can I keep two divisions busy. Let's talk about this for a second. I've come here to fight. I've stepped up for every light and featherweight fight for the last year, over a year. I've been here ready to fight. I did fight in most of them and I will fight in most of them. I missed out on one but I turned up later to make weight," Volkanovski said.
"I've been for the last six, I think six, the last six light and featherweight fights. I've been there to fight every single one. Try and tell me I can't keep two divisions busy."
Before accepting the fight with Makhachev on short notice, Volkanovski was scheduled to defend his 145-pound championship against Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 in January. He still intends on taking that fight.
"You'll see me in January," he said. "Obviously I want to do January. I want to be double champ and keep to divisions busy... I want to keep two divisions busy. I don't think we've had many people do that. That's obviously a difficult thing to do. I think that can add a lot to my legacy."