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Alexander Volkanovski has unveiled his plans to headline an Australia Pay-Per-View blockbuster in September this year – an event that could see him equalling Jose Aldo’s record title tear and continuing a storyline he describes as “Rocky Balboa s***.”
In what would be yet another huge coup for Australia’s UFC featherweight champ, discussions are already underway to bring a massive Pay-Per-View card Down Under in the fourth quarter of this year, with September the favoured date and Perth clubhouse leader to host.
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While UFC executives have not confirmed details, Volkanovski has heard whispers about the talks and, with a win at UFC 289 this Sunday, then wants to use the proposed Aussie card to tie Aldo for most featherweight championship wins.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on the eve of his Californian headliner – where he defends against breakout star Ilia Topuria – Volkanovski said he wants to fight twice more this year across two weight classes.
The champ’s revelation comes only 24 hours after also telling UFC boss Dana White that, following victory over Topuria, he wants to turn around and headline UFC 300 in early April.
Yet even if ‘The Great’ isn’t placed on that particular Las Vegas showcase, he still wants to fight three times in 2024 – competing first at lightweight and then stepping back down to defend featherweight gold.
Asked about the possibility of Australian headliner, Volkanovski said: “I’ve heard they want to do something later in the year and if it does happen, get me on there – 100 per cent.
“As I’ve said, I’ll do UFC 300 and maybe after this weekend they offer me that.
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“But of course I want to fight in Australia this year.
“Because while I’ve already fought for the lightweight title at home, I still haven’t defended my UFC featherweight belt there.
“And I need to do that.
“I have to defend my belt in Australia.
“So if I can have a lightweight fight mid-year and then (in September) I come home – perfect.”
Despite losing twice to UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev last year, Volk is now looking to defend featherweight gold for a sixth time against the Topuria – the cocky Spaniard who is himself on an undefeated tear of 14 straight.
Should Volkanovski win against ‘El Matador’, his following title defence will be to equal the division’s greatest ever championship run – with Aldo having bagged seven straight.
Given Volk has already beaten Aldo, and Max Holloway three times, the record-equally feat would leave absolutely no doubt about his featherweight GOAT status.
A win over Topuria would also silence the doubters who have spoken out against the champ since his most recent loss to Makhachev – a brutal headkick KO at UFC 294 in October.
“So this is all part of my story,” Volkanovski said. “Especially with everyone asking ‘oh, how can he bounce back?’.
“Because it’s not only the loss against Makhachev, but the vulnerable state people saw me in.
“There is all this talk out there right now saying I’m coming off a big knockout, I’m 35, I’m up against an undefeated young guy … (laughs) it’s Rocky Balboa s***”.
“And that’s perfect.
“Every great movie has adversity because it adds to the story.
“Just as it will, mine.
“So whatever comes after this weekend’s fights against Topuria — books, documentaries — this all just adds to the story because everyone gets to see me bounce back.”
Elsewhere, Volkanovski also explained a brief clash he had with Topuria at Wednesday’s media day inside the UFC hotel in Anaheim, when the challenger was spotted with a title belt around his waist.
Already, Topuria has not only changed his Instagram page to include the phrase ‘UFC champion’, but put his record as 15-0 – which would include Volkanovski’s scalp.
So as for him also being spotted wearing gold?
“As part of fight week, the UFC always gets challengers to take photos with a belt beforehand, so they can use them if you win,” Volk explained.
“But then I heard Topuria, he was walking around with it on.
“So just for a laugh, I poked my head in to where the photos were being taken and told him to make the most of it.
“I said to him ‘you may as well wear that now because you won’t be afterwards … so lap it up’.
“I don’t think the guy has ever been in a Pay-Per-View event before. And he’s definitely never headlined.
“So he should enjoy it.
“And I’m not saying he is never going to be in one again, but it’s going to go badly for him this weekend.”
While ‘The Great’ would love to headline in his hometown of Sydney, the entrance he received when fighting Makhachev for the first time in Perth at UFC 284, last February was incredible.
UFC commentator Michael Bisping described the crowd as “ridiculous” while UFC Australia boss Dave Shaw also likened the event to being at a Metallica concert.
White has also spoken many times about his desire to bring big shows to Australia, and would love to have a local headlining after both Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker were unavailable for the most recent Sydney card, UFC 293.
While the NSW Government has already inked a $16 million deal to bring three fights to the Harbour City over four years, its West Australian counterparts also go hard when it comes to hosting major combat sports events.
Australian boxing star George Kambosos will fight Vasiliy Lomachenko for the IBF lightweight title in Perth this May while WWE is also bringing an Elimination Chamber showcase to the city on February 24.
Given the timeline of the NSW deal, UFC executives could potentially hold a Perth card this year and still fight twice in Sydney before the deadline.
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