Alexander Volkanovski confident he can keep two divisions busy

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has a chance to win the lightweight title this weekend in the UFC 294 main even when he takes on titleholder Islam Makhachev in a rematch.  

“The Great” stepped up on 11 days notice to accept the fight after former champion Charles Oliveira was forced out due to a nasty cut.  If he wins, Volkanovski will have to defend both titles and he’s confident that he can.

“A lot of people want to talk about can I keep two divisions busy.  Let’s talk about this for a second.  I’ve come here to fight.  I’ve stepped up for every light and featherweight fight for the last year, over a year.  I’ve been here ready to fight.  I did fight in most of them and I will fight in most of them.  I missed out on one but I turned up later to make weight,” Volkanovski said.  

“I’ve been for the last six, I think six, the last six light and featherweight fights.  I’ve been there to fight every single one.  Try and tell me I can’t keep two divisions busy.” 

Before accepting the fight with Makhachev on short notice, Volkanovski was scheduled to defend his 145-pound championship against Ilia Topuria at UFC 297 in January.  He still intends on taking that fight.  

“You’ll see me in January,” he said.  “Obviously I want to do January.  I want to be double champ and keep to divisions busy… I want to keep two divisions busy.  I don’t think we’ve had many people do that.  That’s obviously a difficult thing to do.  I think that can add a lot to my legacy.”