Alexander Volkanovski Focused on Redemption in Upcoming UFC Fight
Alexander Volkanovski understands MMA is a sport built around the concept of what have you done for me lately.
“Look, I think a lot of people are going to look at [those losses] and be like it was a bad run and they obviously can point to skill and what not,” Volkanovski told First Take on Tuesday. “It was a short-notice fight that I took [against Makhachev]. I wanted to take a high-risk fight with high reward. I was ready to take it on and I thought I could it done. Didn’t go that way. Quick turnaround and got caught again [by Topuria].
“But a lot of people are going to look at that and be like ‘he’s done,’ and they have every right to think that. But for me, the guy that’s turning up at the gym, seeing what I’m seeing in preparation, I know I’m not done. There’s only one way to change everyone’s opinion is go out there this weekend and remind everybody. That’s exactly what I plan on doing.”
Following the loss to Topuria this past February, which came just four months after Makhachev knocked him out with a vicious head kick, Volkanovski purposefully took off a year to allow his body and mind to recover.
In his absence fighters like Lopes stormed the gates in the featherweight rankings so he’s got a lot of hype built up around him ahead of UFC 314 on Saturday.
But Volkanovski promises that his absence wasn’t just an extended vacation and he’s been constantly working behind the scenes to ensure his next fight doesn’t end like his last two.
“Preparation’s where you know you still got it,” Volkanovski explained. “A lot of people are going to look at the last two [losses], I had the time off and it’s easy to say he’s done. But I’m in the gym knowing I’m not done and so is my training partners. Again, I can just show everyone and remind them this weekend and that’s the beauty of it.
“People will forget and that’s why we love this game, right? People can be quickly reminded as well and that’s exactly what’s going to happen this weekend.”
If there was one disappointing surrounding his upcoming title fight it’s that Volkanovski doesn’t get the chance to avenge his past loss to Topuria after he vacated the featherweight title to instead pursue a new path at 155 pounds.
As much as he wanted to cross paths with Topuria again, Volkanovski can’t get too upset because he’s still facing a new challenge from Lopes, who has looked as good as anybody in the world at featherweight over the past couple of years.
“I obviously wanted that rematch with Ilia to just remind everyone and to get that win back,” Volkanovski said. “But at least I still get to fight the new generation of fighter.
“The game’s evolved so I’m fighting a young, hungry guy who’s on a bit of a tear so I still got the next best thing for the vacant belt.”