I’m going to send Ortega home early
Alexander Volkanovski has promised to send American Brian Ortega viral at UFC 266, declaring: “Winning isn’t enough … I want one of those crazy moments that end up doing the rounds on social media”
Bunkered down in Las Vegas, where he defends his UFC featherweight title this Sunday, Volkanovski is quietly putting the finishing touches on what he believes will be the most spectacular win of his undefeated UFC career.
More than simply beating Ortega this weekend, more than becoming the first Australian to defend a UFC strap twice, or take his current undefeated run to 20 fights – including all 10 inside the Octagon – the champ wants a moment.
Think, say, Anderson Silva landing his famed Spider kick. Or Dan Henderson’s ‘H Bomb’.
Throw in Chuck Liddell pounding Tito Ortiz, Jorge Masvidal kneeing Ben Askren cold and Conor McGregor unleashing those 13 seconds of mayhem to stun Jose Aldo.
While Volkanovski has not dropped a fight in his run to the UFC title – that, and the No.4 spot in pound-pound rankings — six of his nine wins have gone to decision.
Most recently, the Aussie retained his belt via a controversial a split decision win over Hawaiian Max Holloway, the same man he took the gold strap from in 2019.
In both fights against Holloway, there were plenty who thought Volkanovski had been beaten. Particularly at UFC 251 last July, when even UFC president Dana White said afterwards the judges got the split decision wrong.
All of which is now fuelling the Aussie champ.
“I’ve already proved I’m the best featherweight in the world,” Volkanovski said this week. “But as you can see, sometimes that’s not enough.
“And don’t get me wrong, there are a shitload of people out there who do understand my skills.
“Who understand I’m levels ahead of most guys in this division.
“But there are others who are drawn only to the crazy moments. The highlight reel finishes. And so I want to capture those casual fans who are just looking for violence.
“Because we’re in the entertainment business. “I understand that.
“So winning isn’t enough this weekend. I want to go out there against Brian Ortega and make a statement.”
Asked why a finish was so important, Volkanovski continued: “Let’s be real, winning is great but performances are what people remember. “Highlight reel finishes. “Those crazy moments that end up doing the rounds on social media.
“You’ve heard guys like Jon Jones talk about it — that it isn’t so much about winning as how you win. “Winning isn’t enough. “You can mop the floor with someone over five rounds, but it’s the guy who get the big finish people remember.
“So once Ortega is tired, I’m going to take advantage of that.”
Quizzed on a prediction, Volkanovski said he planned to stop Ortega in the third.
“There are too many rounds for him to survive this.
“Obviously Ortega, he’s a durable guy. And while he is fresh, with jiu jitsu being his game, early on he will be harder to submit.
“So then you’ve got the knockout, but he is durable too. Has a decent chin.
“But once I start fatiguing him, causing him to crumble … mate, that’s when the opportunities will be endless. So I’m feeling the third round.”
Asked if the now signature fight style he has perfected with coach Joe Lopez would need to change to find a finish,
Volkanosvki said: “No, I wouldn’t say that. I’m still going to be calculated. Just because I want a finish, I’m not going to stand there, toe-to-toe, with my chin up in the air and swinging.
“I’m too clever for that. “And early on, Ortega won’t have cooked. So I’ll need to be careful.
“But after a while, you’re going to see him slow down. Second guessing himself. And that’s when I’m going to go.”