For the first time in his 12-year mixed martial arts career, Alexander Volkanovski has back-to-back losses.
Volkanovski was knocked out in the second round of the UFC 98 main event on Saturday by undefeated Ilia Topuria. It was the second time he’s been knocked out in the last four months.
When the UFC 294 main event between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former titleholder Charles Oliveira fell apart last October, Volkanovski stepped in on 11-days notice to rematch the 155-pound champ. Their first fight ended in a split decision but the rematch ended in a first-round knockout.
Volkanovski defended the 145-pound title five times. He held the belt since December 2019. He believes that his reign atop the division should warrant an immediate rematch with “El Matador.”
“Obviously, I’ve been a champ a long time and I want that rematch,” Volkanovski said during the UFC 298 Post-Fight Press Conference.
“That’s something that needs to happen. I’ve been the reigning champ for how long? I’ve been a bit of a company man. I’ve backed up on short notice. Fought Max [Holloway] three times. You name it, I’ve done it,’ Volkanovski continued. “I think I deserve that and it’s going to be different next time.”
Volkanovski congratulated the new champion and made no excuses for the loss.
“We knew he’d be fast. We knew he’d be powerful, obviously. We knew not to be on the cage there and let him catch you there. He did a great job there. There’s not much I can say other than congrats to him,” he said.
https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/alexander-volkanovski-wants-an-immediate-rematch-i-think-i-deserve-that
