Aussie slugger sets sights on UFC title
RIGHT now, Alex Volkanovski’s most recognised gong is a 2010 Mick Cronin Medal.
His reward for being Group 7 Player of the Year.
But come December this former Warilla Gorilla is gunning for something slightly bigger at UFC 245.
The 30-year-old Volkanovski has finally signed off on a blockbuster title fight against UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway in Las Vegas this December.
Apart from being on an undefeated run of 17 fights, including seven straight Octagon appearances, the rising Wollongong slugger is also gunning to further enhance his reputation as the UFC underdog king, having upset both Brazilian legend Jose Aldo and American wrestling star Chad Mendes in consecutive outings.
Indeed, while Holloway will be looking to secure a fourth straight title defence, the Aussie scrapper is not only promising to dethrone the Hawaiian superstar, but then commence a title run of his own.
“I’m coming to take Max Holloway’s title”, Volkanovski said yesterday. “They say he’s the greatest featherweight of all time, but I'm going to take him out.
“I have a lot of respect for Max, absolutely.
“But without giving too much away, it's going to be a long night for him.
“I’m taking his belt and people are going to be shouting my name.
“Then after that, I'm going to stay champion for a long time.”
Back in July, Volkanovski sat front row in Canada as Holloway defended his gold strap for a third time against American Frankie Edgar at UFC 240.
The win continued a stellar run for the champion who has dropped only one of his past 15 fights – when back in April, at UFC 236, he moved up a division to challenge interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier.
That fight, Holloway lost via unanimous decision.
“It opened people’s eyes a bit,” Volkanovski said. “Had them starting to say ‘oh, he is beatable’.
“But I already knew that.” And as for what he learned watching the Edgar win live?
“Obviously Max was very composed,” the Aussie said. “But I also saw Frankie throw some complications at him.
“And I'm a lot more powerful than Frankie Edgar. A lot more dangerous too.
“So watching that fight, it didn't really change anything I didn’t already know. I’m a really hard match up for anyone.”
Volkanovski said that claiming the shock scalps of Aldo and Mendes had undoubtedly prepared him for a fighter many are calling the greatest featherweight champ ever.
“Fighting Jose Aldo, I always believed I could do what I promised,” he said.
“But still, you're fighting Jose Aldo, one of the greatest ever.”