Alexander Volkanovski hopes he can get the opportunity to rematch Ilia Topuria at UFC 312.
But first featherweight champion Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has to get past Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Volkanovski says the UFC promised him a title fight next, and if Topuria is victorious, “The Great” will look to avenge his loss against the man who dethroned him. After more than a year off, Volkanovski is eager to return at UFC 312, which takes place Feb. 8 in Sydney.
”Perfect world is Ilia in Sydney,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie. “But my head’s telling me if Ilia wins, he’s not fighting probably straight away, and he’s not fighting in Sydney definitely. Max would fight in Sydney, but he’ll probably do BMF and probably fight featherweight a bit later. So, while that’s happening maybe I dance for an interim or something.
“So again, it’s just – the only reason why I bring that up is just because I want to fight soon. … I’ve waited long enough, I’ve rested, did what I had to do, but now ready to get back in there. So, perfect world would be Ilia in February but in Sydney, but I just don’t know if that’s likely.”
Volkanovski’s inkling was correct. Topuria said if the pair do end up running things back, it will be on his home turf.
“That’s never going to happen,” Topuria said during Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day. “I’m the champion, and if you want to fight for the title again, it has to be in Madrid instead of fighting in Australia in front of your people. Why I would give you that advantage?”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
