ABU DHABI – Even if Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev make weight for the UFC 280 headliner, Alexander Volkanovski won’t take his foot off the gas pedal.
Volkanovski, the current UFC featherweight champion, intends to fulfill his obligations as the backup fighter until the moment all possibility of stepping in has gone away, and said he doesn’t intend to relax until Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) and Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) are in the octagon for their vacant lightweight title clash.
“It’s happened before,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie. “We’ve had people somehow not be able to fight (on) fight day. I’ll stay as if I could be fighting. Maybe when I’m at the event I’ll hit some people up and say, ‘I’m here. Am I all good?’ Then I’ll have a couple of beers. But until I’m actually in the crowd sitting down is when I can relax a little and maybe have the drink and enjoy the card.”
For now, Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) is locked in on being ready in case anything with Oliveira or Makhachev goes awry at the last minute. It’s a bold move from the current 145-pound titleholder, but one he felt was essential for his career.
“I’m just going through the week as if it’s a normal fight week and I’m fighting,” Volkanovski said. “We’re training at nighttime. I’m still training for both guys, I’m still game planning and picturing being cross from them this weekend. For me, it’s not that hard to do. A lot of people probably wouldn’t do this or even put themselves in this position, but I’m just a little different and this mindset I have is what’s got me to where I am. If anyone can get through this position I’m in, it would be me. Even if I do get put in this weekend, no matter who it is, to be able to overcome all the – it ain’t an easy process. If anyone can do it, it’s me.”
Volkanovski said it’s “much easier” to prepare to make 155 pounds on Friday, which he’ll do in case Oliveira or Makhachev can’t properly make weight and their bout is called off. He said he’s prepared for both men, but in his perfect world he’d step in to fight Oliveira – despite being more ready for Makhachev’s style.
“If I was to step in against Islam, still a massive fight,” Volkanovski said. “People are going to love it, but would people consider me champion? Because everyone considers Charles the champion. So going in there against Charles and taking him out, you’re taking out the champion. If I do step, preferable it would be Charles. But at the same time I’m prepared for both. I probably did more preparing for Islam if anything.”
Even if Volkanovski’s services aren’t needed, he is in a good spot going into UFC 280, which takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island with a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNNews and ESPN+. UFC president Dana White confirmed on Monday that he’ll be in line to fight the winner, which only confirms to Volkanovski that he made the right move volunteering as a replacement.
“It’s good to hear that from the big boss because this was my plan the whole time,” Volkanovski said. “I’m the type of guy that I’ll do things so no one can take an opportunity away from me. I’ll earn my spot no matter how I do and not let anyone take it away from me. It’s good to hear from the big boss that he agrees to me.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
