Volks Insists ‘No Symptoms’ After Return To Sparring

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski will make his next 145-pound title defense against No. 5-ranked title contender Ilia Topuria in the upcoming UFC 298 pay-per-view (PPV) main event, recently made official for Sat., Feb. 17, 2024 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Assuming he’s medically cleared to compete.

“Just had my first spar. So, obviously had to follow all the protocols, concussion and back to training (protocols),” Volkanovski said on his YouTube blog (transcribed by MMA News). “Followed all the protocols to a T. No symptoms, kept it rolling, kept it rolling. Felt real good. No knocks, no symptoms still. So, we’re rolling. Very, very happy with it.”

Volkanovski (26-3) is coming off a shocking, first-round knockout loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 just last month, a short-notice rematch that marked the Aussie’s second (unsuccessful) attempt to join the coveted “champ-champ” club. That led to calls for “The Great” to take some time off from the daily rigors of the combat sports grind.

Volkanovski, 35, will let his doctors make that call.

“Very thankful for the team behind me,” Volkanovski continued. “(My team and doctors have) dealt with thousands of concussions, so they made sure I followed (protocols) to a T. Mate, I feel great. Was able to train the whole way through. We’ve still got plenty of time before we even get into camp. Now I get to ease into a full training schedule.”

For more on Volkanovski’s return to UFC competition click here.