Alex Volkanovski News
UFC 294 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2023
In the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he rematches Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -265 favorite while the featherweight champ is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, which was made on less than two weeks’ notice, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are actually leaning toward Volkanovski pulling off the upset, despite taking it on short notice.
Dan Hardy claims Alexander Volkanovski rematch is a “far less threatening” fight when compared to Charles Oliveira
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023
Dan Hardy believes Islam Makhachev has a clearer path to victory against Alexander Volkanovski than against Charles Oliveira. On Saturday night, Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski for the second time. He should’ve been going up against Charles Oliveira, but ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to pull out as a result of a cut sustained in training.
Alexander Volkanovski weighs in on the newly booked Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev matchup at UFC 294: “We’re in for a cracking fight”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has given his thoughts on the UFC 294 showdown between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev. This weekend, Kamaru Usman will battle Khamzat Chimaev in a fight that many have been waiting a long time to see. Chimaev is one of the biggest rising stars in the promotion, whereas Usman is a former champion who has a lot to prove after two losses to Leon Edwards. It’s going to serve as a huge task for both men, especially given that it’s only been booked for less than a week as a result of Paulo Costa having to pull out.
Alexander Volkanovski believes knockout is needed against Islam Makhachev: "Can't afford to do anything else"
Josh Evanoff - October 16, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’ll finish Islam Makhachev on Saturday. ‘The Great’ is in a position that he didn’t expect him to be in. Last defeating Yair Rodriguez in July, Alexander Volkanovski was reportedly expected to face Ilia Topuria in January. However, due to an injury to Charles Oliveira, he will step in on short notice to face Islam Makhachev this weekend.
Alexander Volkanovski is not feeling any pressure ahead of UFC 294: “If anyone can do this on 12 day’s notice it’s me”
Susan Cox - October 13, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is not feeling any pressure ahead of UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Robert Whittaker shares his take on Alexander Volkanovski accepting a short notice rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Robert Whittaker has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski taking on Islam Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294. Next weekend at UFC 294, Alexander Volkanovski will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as the second time he’s done so, following a tight decision win for Islam earlier this year.
Islam Makhachev's coach expects Alexander Volkanovski will “take more chances” in upcoming rematch at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on what Alexander Volkanovski may do differently at UFC 294. Next weekend, on short notice, Alexander Volkanovski will step in for the injured Charles Oliveira and challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as his second attempt at claiming Makhachev’s belt following a close decision defeat earlier this year.
Opening odds released for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski and Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi next Saturday for UFC 294 and the card has changed quite a bit, but Islam Makhachev will remain atop the bill. Makhachev was originally supposed to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The co-main event was supposed to be a middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. However, in the past 24 hours, it was revealed that Makhachev will now be rematching Alexander Volkanovski in the main event for the lightweight title. Also, in the co-main event, Kamaru Usman has replaced Paulo Costa and will now face Khamzat Chimaev.
Islam Makhachev set to rematch Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 with Charles Oliveira out
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are set to run it back in the main event of UFC 294. The folks at the Overdogs Podcast just announced that Charles Oliveira is out of his lightweight title fight on Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi against Makhachev, and Volkanovski has agreed to step in on short notice to rematch Makhachev in less than two weeks. ESPN has since confirmed the news.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan dubs Alex Volkanovski as the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA: “I think he won the (Islam) fight”
Susan Cox - October 2, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is dubbing featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski as the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA. Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski (26-2 MMA) was handed a unanimous decision loss in his bout with Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) in February of this year at UFC 284.
WATCH | Alexander Volkanovski tries to submit NBA champion Jamal Murray in under a minute
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently got some work with Jamal Murray. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Yair Rodriguez in July at UFC 290. Since then, the featherweight champion has called out a variety of names, including Islam Makhachev. However, as of now, Alexander Volkanovski has yet to book his return to the cage.
Alexander Volkanovski hints at impending fight booking: "January sounds good to me!"
Josh Evanoff - September 26, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will seemingly return early next year. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since a title defense against Yair Rodriguez in July at UFC 290. There, Alexander Volkanovski scored a third-round stoppage victory over ‘El Pantera’. That was a massive win for the champion, as he was coming off a controversial loss to Islam Makhachev in February.
Alexander Volkanovski turns attention to Islam Makhachev at UFC 300: “I think that makes a lot of sense"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski thinks a rematch against lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev is in order. Makhachev is preparing for a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The current 155-pound champion defeated Oliveira to capture the gold via second-round submission last year. Makhachev followed that up with a close, but unanimous decision victory over Volkanovski earlier this year.
Alex Volkanovski responds after Conor McGregor suggests he would make “quick work” of him at featherweight: “Let’s do it at UFC 300”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has given a response to Conor McGregor after a recent tweet disparaging his place on the pound-for-pound list. McGregor hasn’t been shy in trying to ruffle some feathers. Volkanovski has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind a super fight against McGregor. Volkanovski once told James Lynch of MMA News that he’d be willing to fight McGregor even if it meant having to move up to welterweight.
Israel Adesanya explains why he believes Alexander Volkanovski is "the greatest fighter of all time"
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2023
Israel Adesanya believes Alexander Volkanovski has cemented himself as the GOAT. Volkanovski is the UFC’s current featherweight champion and is undefeated in the weight class. He has only two career losses on his record, one which came on the regional scene at welterweight and the other at 155lbs to Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. However, that fight was close and some thought Volkanovski did enough to get the win.
PHOTO | UFC 5 covers officially revealed featuring Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya on deluxe version
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2023
The covers for UFC 5 have officially been released. Last week it was reported that Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko would be on the cover of the regular game. On Tuesday, EA Sports officially revealed the cover and it was Volkanovski and Shevchenko on the cover as expected.
Alexander Volkanovski has grim outlook on Sean Strickland's chances against Israel Adesanya
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 3, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski thinks Sean Strickland will be in for a world of hurt against Israel Adesanya. Adesanya is set to put his middleweight championship on the line against Strickland at UFC 293 on September 9. “The Last Stylebender” was expected to meet Dricus du Plessis in a grudge match at the pay-per-view. That plan couldn’t come to fruition, as du Plessis is recovering from an injury and was not going to be healed in time. As a result, Strickland got the call to meet “Izzy.”
UFC President Dana White discusses the possibility of making Max Holloway vs. Alex Volkanovski 4: “I don’t love it”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2023
UFC president Dana White has explained why he isn’t crazy about the idea of booking Alex Volkanovski vs Max Holloway 4. Last weekend in the main event of UFC Singapore, Max Holloway knocked out The Korean Zombie. It came in the wake of his win over Arnold Allen which, in itself, was a big moment for ‘Blessed’ as it allowed him to get back in the win column.