Alexander Volkanovski open to interim title fight vs. Diego Lopes – under one circumstance

09/16/2024 02:30 PM

All Alexander Volkanovski knows is that his next fight will be for the featherweight title.

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) awaits the winner of the title fight between champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, which headlines UFC 308 Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi.

Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) battered Brian Ortega Saturday at UFC 306, and called for a title shot. With Lopes also vying for the No. 1 contender spot, Volkanovski is willing to fight him – only if it’s for the interim title.

“Lopes – massive win. Both two top dudes. I like both of them, so whoever was going to win, I was going to be happy for,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “Lopes is right up there now. I’m guessing he’ll be ranked (No.) 3.

“Obviously, my next fight is for the title, depending on what happens. Are there injuries in the Max and Ilia fight? Who knows what’s going to happen. Could there be an interim with someone like Lopes? You never know, so we’ll see what happens.”

Volkanovski clarifies that he’s only entertaining an interim title fight with Lopes if the winner of Topuria and Holloway isn’t available to turn around and fight him at a reasonable timeline.

“My next fight is for the title,” Volkanovski said. “But if they can’t do that soon enough, say if Max wins, is he going to go to lightweight and do BMF? Is there going to be an interim fight? I haven’t had them proper discussions, so I’ll get back to the UFC and have a proper chat with them. All I know is that my next fight is for the title.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 306.