Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (left) and current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (right). Photo: Usa Today
Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight title at UFC 276 last night. The victory marked his fourth title defense, since winning the belt from Max Holloway back in December 2019.
Now, the Australian is looking for new challenges in a heavier weight class. And since the lightweight belt is vacant at the moment, Volkanovski wants to skip the line and go straight for the title shot.
”Charles (Oliveira) is the bigger fight, lets be honest, he is really the champion. Everyone looks at him as the champion. That’s the bigger fight,” Volkanovski said at the post fight press conference. “If Islam (Makhachev) takes it, then it’s Islam. Whoever is holding that belt, whoever is considered the champ, that’s what I want.”
Alexander Volkanovski signed new lucrative deal with UFC
Alexander Volkanovski states that he would not add much weight, to be able keep the sharpness and speed, if he moves up a division. And if he would win the lightweight title he intends to hold and defend both belts at the same time.
”Yeah, a hundred percent. I want to be active. And I’m a fighter that proves that I can do it”
What ever happens next, the Australian featherweight is in a good place in life right now.
“We get paid good. We signed a new deal, I’m very happy with it, you know, to be the highest paid featherweight outside Conor,” Volkanovski said. “I’m proud of that.”