What Subsequent For Alexander Volkanovski After UFC 290 Triumph?
Having claimed his sixth UFC Featherweight Title victory at UFC 290 on July 8, right here at SportsLens we assess a number of choices for Alexander Volkanovski and who he might combat subsequent. ‘The Nice’ is among the pound-for-pound finest MMA fighters on the planet, and can look to get again within the octagon earlier than the top of the 12 months.
What Subsequent For Alexander Volkanovski?
Having knocked out Yair Rodriguez in the principle occasion at UFC 290 on July 8 on the T-Cell Area, Las Vegas, Nevada, we determined to discover a few of the choices that ‘The Nice’ has. May he combat earlier than the top of the 12 months? Will the Australian MMA star step as much as light-weight? Will ‘Volk’ stay at 145-pounds and try to beat Jose Aldo’s title protection document?
We intention to reply a few of these questions on this article.
One factor is for positive, Alexander Volkanovski has tons of choices, and received’t be struggling for a combat subsequent time he steps foot within the octagon.
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Rematch With Islam Makhachev For UFC Light-weight Title?
Plainly the obvious and more than likely combat for Alexander Volkanovski subsequent is the rematch with Islam Makhachev for the UFC Light-weight Title.
The pair of combatants headlined UFC 284 again in February, with Volkanovski difficult for UFC gold up at light-weight in entrance of his personal followers in Perth, Australia.
On the evening, followers had been handled to a fully unbelievable combat. 25 minutes of continuous motion. Two males at their absolute athletic peaks, throwing down within the centre of the octagon for 5 rounds. The combat in fact earned Combat Of The Night time, in addition to being probably the greatest fights of the 12 months thus far.
Sadly for the Australian, he was unable to develop into a two-weight world champion on the evening, shedding by way of unanimous resolution to the reigning UFC Light-weight Champion. Nonetheless, the combat was extraordinarily shut, nip and tuck, with many followers believing Volkanovski had finished sufficient to win the bout.
The rematch has an enormous narrative, it sells itself. The primary combat was too near name. Volkanovski would have the prospect to develop into a two-weight world champion, with Islam Makhachev having the chance to make it back-to-back wins over probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighters within the UFC.
Makhachev hasn’t fought because the bout, so might be trying to get again into the cage earlier than the top of the 12 months. The combat is sensible. Charles Oliveira in fact deserves his shot at Makhachev once more, however has revealed he received’t be prepared for October and doesn’t wish to combat the champion in Abu Dhabi.
That leaves the door open for Volkanovski, who will virtually actually take that combat if given the chance. That is the one all MMA followers wish to see subsequent, and it might nicely occur.
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Rematch With Yair Rodriguez?
One other potential combat for Alexander Volkanovski subsequent is in fact a rematch with Yair Rodriguez – who he simply defeated at UFC 290.
You is likely to be considering that is unlikely given how conclusive the end was from ‘The Nice, however a rematch with ‘El Pantera’ might doubtlessly be on the playing cards subsequent for the Australian MMA phenom.
The explanation for that is due to an unintentional head conflict throughout Spherical 3 of the combat. Sure, Volkanovski has received the opening two rounds and was nicely on his strategy to piecing Rodriguez up, however the Mexican challenger appeared good within the third spherical, and was successful that spherical previous to the pinnacle conflict and stoppage 90 seconds later.
After all, the pinnacle conflict was completely unintentional, and you can argue has an impact on each fighters. Nonetheless, the previous UFC Interim Featherweight Champion was wanting in command of Spherical 3, previous to the conflict of heads.
Lower than 90 seconds later, the champion landed his clubbing pictures, sending Rodriguez wilting to the canvas, earlier than following up with some floor and pound. Though the ending of the competition was conclusive, you can argue that this was all the way down to the pinnacle conflict.
After all, ‘Volk’ would go into the rematch as an enormous favourite with the perfect US sportsbooks. This selection is unlikely for Volkanovski subsequent, however isn’t completely past the realms of chance. Stranger issues have occurred within the UFC!
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Title Protection Towards Ilia Topuria Or Arnold Allen?
Two additional choices for Alexander Volkanovski may very well be one other title protection towards both the #4 ranked UFC Featherweight Arnold Allen, or the #5 ranked 145-pound fighter Ilia Topuria.
Wanting on the #5 contender Ilia Topuria first, this combat is one which makes complete sense. The Georgian/Spanish fighter is undefeated within the UFC in six fights, having crushed the likes of Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell and Ryan Corridor in his brief UFC tenure.
This combat is sensible, as Topuria is among the fighters within the High 10 UFC featherweight rankings who Volkanovski is but to face. Not solely that, however Topuria is undefeated within the UFC, as is Volkanovski at 145-pounds. The combat would definitely promote, with Topuria one of many future stars of the game.
The opposite choice for Alexander Volkanovski might in fact be towards English MMA star and #4 ranked UFC featherweight – Arnold Allen. The Englishman was undefeated in 10 UFC bouts, earlier than shedding final day out to former champion and former trilogy opponent of Volkanovski, Max Holloway.
Allen misplaced the bout conclusively on factors, however was on an unbelievable run previous to the combat with ‘Blessed’. The explanation this combat might occur subsequent, is the truth that Allen is the best ranked fighter at 145-pound who Volkanovski is but to beat. Regardless of shedding final day out, he’s technically subsequent in line by way of the rankings.
Both of those two fights may very well be subsequent for ‘The Nice’. Of the 2, it’s most likely extra possible that ‘Volk’ faces Ilia Topuria subsequent, slightly than Arnold Allen. No matter who it’s, Volkanovski could be the overriding favourite with the perfect offshore sportsbooks to win the bout.
Any Different Names For Volkanovski To Combat Subsequent?
After all, there are another choices on the market for Volkanovski subsequent, relying on what occurs within the UFC’s upcoming occasions. Max Holloway is all the time a reputation on individuals’s lips at featherweight, however a fourth combat between the pair is unlikely, given the truth that Volkanovski has received the earlier three.
There may very well be some huge names from bantamweight stepping as much as face Volkanovski. The likes of Henry Cejudo and Aljamain Sterling might nicely transfer as much as 145-pounds in an try and win UFC gold in one other weight division. A combat between both of those stars is also an choice for ‘The Nice’ earlier than the top of the 12 months.
Nonetheless, the more than likely combat subsequent for Alexander Volkanovski is in fact the rematch with Islam Makhachev. The UFC light-weight Title could be on the road, with an opportunity for the Aussie to develop into a two-division world champion within the UFC. The primary combat was so good, {that a} rematch is sort of assured at some stage.
Irrespective of who the 34-year-old fights subsequent, it’s positive to be a mega-fight. Volkanovski is among the finest fighters within the UFC, in addition to being one of many greatest attracts in your complete sport of MMA. Irrespective of who he fights, tens of millions of followers will tune in from all around the globe.
Be sure you declare the assorted sports activities betting apps and boxing free bets out there on the SportsLens website forward of Volkanovski’s subsequent combat.
