Discussions ensue about a potential match between Alexander Volkanovsky and either Movsar Evloev or Yar Rodriguez
Prepare for a Featherweight Showdown!
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski insists on defending his title, even as his career seemingly winds down. The 36-year-old champion reclaimed his strap against Diego Lopez following Ilia Topuria's shift to the lightweight division in April.
Upcoming opponents for the Aussie champ include Movsar Evloev and Yair Rodriguez. However, Evloev is set to face Aaron Pico, pushing Volkanovski vs. Evloev to the backburner, at least until July.
As for Rodriguez, there have been whispers about a title defense against the Mexican fighter in September. But the September date isn't ideal for Volkanovski and his wife, who are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new bundle of joy. He intends to discuss his prospects with UFC President Dana White and matchmaker Hunter Campbell.
Interestingly, Volkanovski already bested Rodriguez in the third round via TKO at UFC 290 in July 2023. The UFC is currently exploring options for the next title defense, with a potential fight in Las Vegas on October 5th under consideration.
Bonus Reads:
- Yank BJ Penn from Mom's Home! Court Slaps Restraining Order on Ex-Champ
- Death Hoax Quashed! DC Squashes Askren Rumors
- Former Bantamweight King Cody Garbrandt Yearns for a Shot at Sean O'Malley
Some Background:
- True Status: Despite the article's initial claims, Volkanovski is the current UFC Featherweight Champion, not the Lightweight Champion.
- Prospective Opponents:
- Yair Rodriguez: Although a September title defense against Rodriguez has been speculated, Volkanovski has expressed reservations due to personal reasons.
- Movsar Evloev: Although Volkanovski has expressed interest in taking on Evloev, the Ingush fighter has accepted another fight, making a Volkanovski vs. Evloev bout unlikely in the immediate future.
- Topuria and Lightweight: Topuria, briefly the featherweight champion, has vacated the title to pursue the lightweight crown. Volkanovski has clarified that Topuria was not dodging a rematch; he's simply moving to a different weight division.
Bookmakers are odds-making unfavorable odds for Yair Rodriguez to defeat the UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski if they were to meet in a potential title defense in a future event, considering Volkanovski's prior victory over Rodriguez at UFC 290 via TKO in the third round. In the realm of mixed-martial-arts, the potential matchup between Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev seems less likely in the near future, as Evloev is scheduled to face Aaron Pico instead.
