What Next For Alexander Volkanovski After UFC 290 Triumph?

Having claimed his sixth UFC Featherweight Title victory at UFC 290 on July 8, right here at SportsLens we assess a number of choices for Alexander Volkanovski and who he might combat subsequent. ‘The Nice’ is among the pound-for-pound greatest MMA fighters on the planet, and can look to get again within the octagon earlier than the tip of the yr.

What Subsequent For Alexander Volkanovski?

Having knocked out yair rodriguez in the primary occasion at UFC 290 on July 8 on the T-Cellular Area, Las Vegas, Nevadawe determined to discover a number of the choices that ‘The Nice’ has. Might he combat earlier than the tip of the yr? Will the Australian MMA star step as much as light-weight? Will ‘Volk’ stay at 145-pounds and try to beat Jose Aldo’s title protection file?

We purpose to reply a few of these questions on this article.

One factor is for positive, Alexander Volkanovski has tons of choices, and gained’t be struggling for a combat subsequent time he steps foot within the octagon.

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Rematch With Islam Makhachev For UFC Light-weight Title?

Plainly the obvious and most definitely combat for Alexander Volkanovski subsequent is the rematch with Islam Makhachev for the UFC Light-weight Title.

The pair of combatants headlined UFC 284 again in February, with Volkanovski difficult for UFC gold up at light-weight in entrance of his personal followers in Perth, Australia.

On the night time, followers had been handled to a fully unbelievable combat. 25 minutes of continuous motion. Two males at their absolute athletic peaks, throwing down within the centre of the octagon for 5 rounds. The combat in fact earned Combat Of The Night timein addition to being probably the greatest fights of the yr to this point.

Sadly for the Australian, he was unable to turn into a two-weight world champion on the night time, shedding by way of unanimous resolution to the reigning UFC Light-weight Champion. Nevertheless, the combat was extraordinarily shut, nip and tuck, with many followers believing Volkanovski had executed sufficient to win the bout.

The rematch has an enormous narrative, it sells itself. The primary combat was too near name. Volkanovski would have the prospect to turn into a two-weight world champion, with Islam Makhachev having the chance to make it back-to-back wins over probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighters within the UFC.

Makhachev hasn’t fought for the reason that bout, so can be trying to get again into the cage earlier than the tip of the yr. The combat is smart. Charles Oliveira in fact deserves his shot at Makhachev once more, however has revealed he gained’t be prepared for October and doesn’t wish to combat the champion in Abu Dhabi.

That leaves the door open for Volkanovski, who will virtually definitely take that combat if given the chance. That is the one all MMA followers wish to see subsequent, and it might nicely occur.

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Rematch With Yair Rodriguez?

One other potential combat for Alexander Volkanovski subsequent is in fact a rematch with yair rodriguez – who he simply defeated at UFC 290.

You is perhaps pondering that is unlikely given how conclusive the end was from ‘The Nice, however a rematch with ‘El Pantera’ might probably be on the playing cards subsequent for the Australian MMA phenom.

The rationale for that is due to an unintentional head conflict throughout Spherical 3 of the combat. Sure, Volkanovski has gained the opening two rounds and was nicely on his approach to piecing Rodriguez up, however the Mexican challenger appeared good within the third spherical, and was profitable that spherical previous to the top conflict and stoppage 90 seconds later.

After all, the top conflict was completely unintentional, and you would argue has an impact on each fighters. Nevertheless, the previous UFC Interim Featherweight Champion was wanting accountable for Spherical 3, previous to the conflict of heads.

Lower than 90 seconds later, the champion landed his clubbing pictures, sending Rodriguez wilting to the canvas, earlier than following up with some floor and pound. Though the ending of the competition was conclusive, you would argue that this was all the way down to the top conflict.

After all, ‘Volk’ would go into the rematch as an enormous favourite with the best US sportsbooks. This selection is unlikely for Volkanovski subsequent, however isn’t completely past the realms of chance. Stranger issues have occurred within the UFC!

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Title Protection In opposition to Ilia Topuria Or Arnold Allen?

Two additional choices for Alexander Volkanovski could possibly be one other title protection in opposition to both the #4 ranked UFC Featherweight Arnold Allen, or the #5 ranked 145-pound fighter Ilia Topuria.

Trying on the #5 contender Ilia Topuria first, this combat is one which makes complete sense. The Georgian/Spanish fighter is undefeated within the UFC in six fights, having crushed the likes of Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell and Ryan Corridor in his brief UFC tenure.

This combat is smart, as Topuria is among the fighters within the Prime 10 UFC featherweight rankings who Volkanovski is but to face. Not solely that, however Topuria is undefeated within the UFC, as is Volkanovski at 145-pounds. The combat will surely promote, with Topuria one of many future stars of the game.

The opposite possibility for Alexander Volkanovski might in fact be in opposition to English MMA star and #4 ranked UFC featherweight – Arnold Allen. The Englishman was undefeated in 10 UFC bouts, earlier than shedding final trip to former champion and former trilogy opponent of Volkanovski, Max Holloway.

Allen misplaced the bout conclusively on factors, however was on an unbelievable run previous to the combat with ‘Blessed’. The rationale this combat might occur subsequent, is the truth that Allen is the very best ranked fighter at 145-pound who Volkanovski is but to beat. Regardless of shedding final trip, he’s technically subsequent in line by way of the rankings.

Both of those two fights could possibly be subsequent for ‘The Nice’. Of the 2, it’s in all probability extra seemingly that ‘Volk’ faces Ilia Topuria subsequent, relatively than Arnold Allen. No matter who it’s, Volkanovski could be the overriding favourite with the best offshore sportsbooks to win the bout.

Any Different Names For Volkanovski To Combat Subsequent?

After all, there are another choices on the market for Volkanovski subsequent, relying on what occurs within the UFC’s upcoming occasions. Max Holloway is all the time a reputation on individuals’s lips at featherweight, however a fourth combat between the pair is unlikely, given the truth that Volkanovski has gained the earlier three.

There could possibly be some massive names from bantamweight stepping as much as face Volkanovski. The likes of Henry Cejudo and Aljamain Sterling might nicely transfer as much as 145-pounds in an try and win UFC gold in one other weight division. A combat between both of those stars is also an possibility for ‘The Nice’ earlier than the tip of the yr.

Nevertheless, the most definitely combat subsequent for Alexander Volkanovski is in fact the rematch with Islam Makhachev. The UFC light-weight Title could be on the road, with an opportunity for the Aussie to turn into a two-division world champion within the UFC. The primary combat was so good, {that a} rematch is nearly assured at some stage.

Regardless of who the 34-year-old fights subsequent, it’s positive to be a mega-fight. Volkanovski is among the greatest fighters within the UFC, in addition to being one of many greatest attracts in all the sport of MMA. Regardless of who he fights, hundreds of thousands of followers will tune in from all world wide.

Make sure you declare the assorted sports betting apps and boxing free bets out there on the SportsLens web site forward of Volkanovski’s subsequent combat.

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