Alexander Volkanovski was on prime of the world in the beginning of 2023.
“The Nice” earned his nickname en path to turning into one of many biggest Featherweights of all time. At UFC 284, Volkanovski focused a second title when he challenged the Light-weight titleholder, Islam Makhachev, in February 2023.
Sadly for Volkanovski, his Perth, Australia residence recreation was spoiled in opposition to his fellow champion when he misplaced a unanimous resolution (watch highlights) of their immediate traditional. Volkanovski returned to Featherweight and efficiently defended his title in opposition to Yair Rodriguez (watch highlights) in July earlier than a Makhachev rematch in October. The latter got here on quick discover, which has been speculated since as a questionable resolution on Volkanovski’s half as he misplaced by way of first spherical knockout (watch highlights). To make issues trickier, he rotated to defend once more in opposition to Ilia Topuria in February 2024.
Volkanovski, 35, misplaced that combat by knockout as properly, simply within the second spherical (watch highlights). From longtime commentator, Joe Rogan’s, seat he believes the sporadic nature of Volkanovski’s decision-making took him off his perch when he simply may have had a distinct chapter written in his story.
“When Volkanovski fought the primary time and he was completely ready, it was an incredible combat,” Rogan stated on the Joe Rogan Expertise. “I assumed he gained. I assumed it was very shut, however I assumed he gained. I gave I believe spherical two was the distinction and I may see spherical two going both approach however I gave it to ‘Volk.’ After they introduced the rematch, a part of me was like, ‘Ooh, that’s an awesome combat, however eeh that is the combat for No. 1 pound-for-pound.’ I imagine ‘Volk’ gained the primary combat though very shut, I don’t suppose it was a theft. I believe that places him because the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on this planet.
“He loses the combat to Islam, he will get caught with that head kick then he will get knocked out by [Ilia] Topuria, now he’s not even in that dialog anymore,” he continued. “It is a quick period of time and all the pieces falls aside. I believe it wouldn’t have fallen aside if not for the rematch. If he simply waited for Topuria, I gotta suppose that head kick has an element.”
Volkanovski is now taking time to relax earlier than returning to motion with out his title. Nonetheless, he does plan to combat for gold upon his return. In the meantime, Makhachev seeks his third profitable title protection in opposition to Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 this weekend (Sat., June 1, 2024).
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the complete UFC 302 combat card proper right here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET), earlier than the pay-per-view (PPV) essential card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).
To take a look at the most recent and biggest UFC 302: “Makhachev vs. Poirier” information and notes be sure you hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.
