Alexander Volkanovski is ready to ditch the playbook for a BMF title showdown against Max Holloway, and he's got some strong opinions about his upcoming opponent's chances!
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed his eagerness for a potential blockbuster fight for the Baddest Mother F***er (BMF) title against his longtime rival Max Holloway. Volkanovski stated that if such an opportunity arose, he'd be ready to cast aside his usual strategic approach and embrace a pure slugfest. "We do the belt justice… it’s ‘OK, we’re scrapping’," he declared, hinting at a more aggressive, no-holds-barred style for that particular bout.
This exciting prospect comes as Volkanovski, also known as 'The Great,' prepares to defend his featherweight championship in his hometown of Sydney. He's set for a rematch against Brazil's Diego Lopes at UFC 325 on Sunday, February 1st, at 1 PM AEDT. This marks a significant moment, as it's the first time in his illustrious career that Volkanovski will defend his title on home soil.
But here's where it gets interesting: Volkanovski also shared his insights into the weaknesses of his upcoming opponent, Diego Lopes. He pointed out that Lopes leaves "big openings" during fights and emphasized that the Brazilian has only one primary path to victory against him. "His only chance is to land a big shot… and if I fight him again two years from now that will still be the case," Volkanovski stated with confidence. He elaborated that while Lopes is dangerous because he can land a significant blow, if he fails to do so, Volkanovski believes he will emerge victorious. This is a point many fans might overlook – the sheer reliance on one specific offensive tactic.
Volkanovski also weighed in on other potential high-profile matchups. He predicted that Max Holloway would emerge victorious in the upcoming BMF title fight against Charles Oliveira. Beyond that, he offered his thoughts on a potential No. 1 contender bout between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, two of the most prominent featherweights in the division. Volkanovski believes Movsar Evloev will win that fight, which would then set up a clash against a truly undefeated contender with a substantial record.
When discussing his own career path, Volkanovski expressed a strong belief in earning opportunities rather than having them handed to him. He acknowledged that his rematch against Lopes might be seen by some as a questionable choice, especially with other contenders on the horizon. However, he also expressed openness to pursuing other titles, like the BMF belt, if the opportunity presents itself, especially when a clear No. 1 contender in his own division is about to be established.
Reflecting on his previous five-round battle with Lopes, Volkanovski highlighted a key learning: Lopes's difficulty in cutting off the cage effectively. This tactical observation from their first encounter is something Volkanovski believes he can exploit. He noted that while Lopes might try to improve in this area, the short timeframe between fights makes significant development unlikely. "Because if you do it wrong, you can leave big openings," Volkanovski explained, emphasizing that this is a crucial takeaway from their last bout.
And this is the part most people miss... Volkanovski also revealed that his fight against Lopes served as a vital test of his own chin. After suffering consecutive knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, there were questions about his ability to withstand powerful strikes. "One of the questions coming into that fight was ‘can I still take a punch?’," he admitted. He confirmed that he could, even after taking some big shots from Lopes, including one that momentarily dropped him. While they've analyzed why Lopes managed to land those shots and identified areas for improvement, the core message remains: don't let him land those shots.
What do you think about Volkanovski's bold approach to the BMF title? Do you agree with his assessment of Diego Lopes's chances? Let us know in the comments below!
