LAS VEGAS – As Alexander Volkanovski sits atop the featherweight throne during International Fight Week he’s focused on the task in front of him, with thoughts of a rematch against the lightweight division’s king also on his mind.
But as Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) recently challenged up a weight class in a UFC super fight against Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) he also recognizes the possibility he may play defense of his divisional position rather than offense the next time he goes head-to-head with another promotional title holder.
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) returns Aug. 19 at UFC 292 in Boston against Sean O’Malley (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).
For months, Sterling has hinted the bout, if he’s successful, will be his final at the weight class. Sterling plans to depart bantamweight as champion and fight Volkanovski, or whoever holds featherweight at that time – a plan Volkanovski approves.
“If (Sterling) goes down there and takes out Sean, I think he’s definitely paid his dues,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference Wednesday. “How many title defenses would that be? Three or four. There you go. I think so. He’s a big dude. But yeah, he’s got a tough fight ahead of him. But that’s another possible fight. There’s plenty of options.”
Volkanovski takes on interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the UFC 290 main event Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The main card streams on pay-per-view after prelims on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.