Dana White wants Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez over Islam Makhachev rematch next

LAS VEGAS – Dana White likes the idea of a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, but just not yet.

The UFC president is in favor to see a second bout between the two champions, but first, he’d like to see Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) unify the featherweight title against interim champion Yair Rodriguez. In the meantime, Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) will defend his belt against a lightweight contender.

White was clear that’s what should happen next, despite there being plenty of fan interest in a rematch since Makhachev defeated Volkanovski in a close and exciting affair in the main event of UFC 284 on Feb. 11.

“When you make a super fight, could you possibly have a better result than we did?” White said at the UFC Fight Night 220 post-fight press conference when asked about Makhachev vs. Volkanovski. “The entire world is arguing on who won. That’s a superfight and it delivered.

“The only thing that could possibly be better than that is the guy who’s fighting for the interim title, comes out looking incredible, too. So now you have Yair vs. Volkanovski. We’ll see what happens with Islam and who he ends up fighting next. You have to do Yair. You have to do that fight. He came out looking like an absolute stud that night. And then you have the rematch after they both fight again. It could not have a better result.”

There haven’t been any talks in terms of booking either champion just yet, but White is confident Makhachev and Volkanovski will fight someone else before they can lock horns again. White is unsure what will happen next in terms for a championship fight at 155 pounds, but at 145 that’s a different story.

He believes Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is the obvious next move.

“To me, the fight that makes sense is you make Yair vs. Vokanovski,” White said. “Islam vs. somebody whenever that happens, and then you do the rematch.”