Alex Volkanovski’s future will flash earlier than his eyes at UFC 308 however what that future seems like remains to be unclear to the previous featherweight world champion.
Volkanovski’s return to the octagon can be in a title struggle, that a lot is definite. In a really perfect world, it could be at UFC 312 in Sydney subsequent February in opposition to Spain’s Ilia Topuria, who took the title off him earlier this yr.
Topuria faces Max Holloway this weekend in Abu Dhabi for his first title defence and Volkanovski can be ringside.
The turnaround to Sydney for the winner could be tight, assuming they wish to do it within the first place and get via this one unscathed and Holloway’s possession of the symbolic BMF title, which may require him to struggle exterior his weight class, complicates issues additional.
Volkanovski is tipping Holloway for the win and would relish a fourth struggle along with his previous rival, however he can see all of the shifting items at play.
“If Ilia wins, I will be preventing Ilia. However can I assure Sydney? I do not know. Would Max struggle me in Australia? 100 per cent he would. However I feel he’d in all probability struggle for the BMF title (subsequent),” mentioned Volkanovski.
“So if he wins, I both struggle him in Sydney or I do an interim (title struggle) in opposition to Diego Lopes. That ensures me a title struggle sooner.
“Who would I reasonably struggle subsequent? Ilia in Sydney, that might be good to get my win again, that is the dream.
“However Max profitable in all probability ensures me the title struggle sooner.”
Such uncertainty is unfamiliar to Volkanovski. Ever since he first received UFC gold nearly 5 years in the past, he is been in whole management of who he’s and what he is doing.
Now he is on the mercy of the fates, which is what occurs while you’re coming off back-to-back knockout losses.
The Topuria defeat, coupled with the short-notice, one-round belting from Islam Makhachev, had many starting their profession obituaries for Australia’s biggest ever MMA export, however the 36-year previous refuses to undergo Father Time.
Whether or not he fights in Sydney or not, he’ll be having fun with one of many longest lay-offs of his profession. Previously, he is struggled to really feel comfy with out the construction of a coaching camp or the aim he present in defending a title.
This time, he knew it is what he wanted and now he is ramping issues again up once more, he feels higher for it.
Topuria claimed the UFC featherweight title with victory over Volkanovski at UFC 298. (Getty Photographs: Chris Unger)
“It was a selection I used to be committing to. Usually once I’m not as energetic or once I’m simply ready, I wish to struggle. That is the place I get antsy,” Volkanovski mentioned.
“However this time I selected to have a break, I knew it was what I wanted and it was the choice I made, in order that was nice. I had extra time to be a greater husband and father, however now it is time for Volk the fighter to return again.
“My subsequent struggle can be for the title. I am able the place I am so fired up I want it might be now. I wanted that break however now it is hurry up, let’s get me into it.”
Except the UFC decides to hit the Wollongong Showground, a bout in Sydney is as near a hometown struggle Volkanovski’s going to get.
By the point UFC 312 rolls round it will be over seven years since Volkanovski fought within the Harbour Metropolis and he is a distinct fighter and man to the one that floor out a choice victory over Shane Younger on that day again in 2017.
“I am comfy in who I’m, as an individual and a fighter. Again then I used to be nonetheless studying, I used to be full dedication, which you want if you are going to be nice, and I had no time for anything to the purpose I wasn’t capable of be myself,” mentioned Volkanovski.
“Like if I used to be in entrance of the digicam I used to be by no means comfy, and you could possibly even see that within the octagon.
“However now I am in my very own pores and skin, I do know who I’m and it won’t sound correct once I’m coming off two losses however you’ll be able to see my confidence now – I feel it began once I started shaving my head earlier than I fought (Brian) Ortega in 2021, changing into Bald Volk modified issues for me.
“I’ve all the time had the work ethic, I’ve all the time been pushed, however now I simply need to be me. I do know what it takes, that man seven years in the past with all that drive and dedication, that is what it takes to win and I’ve to do this once more.
“It will be robust, however I would like that belt again.”
