Alexander Volkanovski is returning to his division after all.
The UFC featherweight champion will look to unify the featherweight belts with interim champion Yair Rodriguez this summer at UFC 290 on July 8 in Las Vegas. The 145-pound title bout is targeted for International Fight week, but contracts have yet to be signed.
MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation that verbal agreements are in place for the bout following initial reports from FOX Sports and MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) saw a 22-fight unbeaten streak come to an end when he tasted his first defeat in the octagon back in February at UFC 284. Volkanovski moved up a division in an attempt to become champ-champ, as he challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Volkanovski lost the fight in a very competitive unanimous decision. Prior to the defeat, the Australian had established a dominant reign at featherweight with four consecutive title defenses.
That same night in the co-main event of UFC 284, Rodriguez (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) won the interim featherweight title, submitting Josh Emmett in the second round of their contest. The win put the Mexican star on a two-fight winning streak and 4-1 in his past five outings.
