Alexander Volkanovski: 'The plan isn't | MMA News
Two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is widely thought of the higher 145-pound titleholder in UFC historical past. He’s held the belt twice and efficiently defended it 5 instances.
He’ll attempt to defend it for the sixth time on Feb. 1 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia in a rematch with No. 2 ranked Diego Lopes. Perhaps because Volkanovski is an Aussie and 37 years-old, some have speculated if “The Great” would possibly announce his retirement in his home nation.
Volkanovski shot down the hypothesis and rumors during an look on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday.
“I don’t know where that came from exactly,” Volkanovski said. “Obviously, I guess whether people are just going off what I say. Like, you know, how many more do I have? If I was to get beaten up, am I going to come back and fight? No. You know what I mean? But that’s not my plans. Unless things go horrendously wrong, I’m planning on going back out there.”
Volkanovski and Lopes first fought at UFC 314 last April in Miami, Florida for the vacant title. Volkanovski grew to become a two-time UFC champion successful via unanimous resolution. He hasn’t fought since. After the loss, Lopes jumped back in there in September, defeating Jean Silva in spectacular fashion.
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“Right now, I plan on everything going well, getting my hand raised, hopefully taking minimal damage so I can have a quick turnaround,” he said. “So, the plan isn’t definitely to retire. I don’t know where that come from.”
While Volkanovski would not plan to retire in Sydney, he sees the solar setting on the horizon. His retirement might come this yr.
“Whether the next one, you know, taking on an undefeated fighter in the UFC or something like that. I mean, that’s appealing. Maybe that could be one that I could finish up on,” said the champion said.
“There were talks straight after my last fight. I’m like, how many more? You never know. There were talks like that, but as soon as I started training I was like, ah, let’s keep going,” he continued. “I’m still going strong, so I’ll just keep going I guess we’ll see.
“I would not say I’ll keep going. I am unable to promise another three, 4 years, but I do not assume I’m retiring this one because I plan on getting my hand raised and taking minimal harm, going on the market sending a assertion, placing on a show for the followers and possibly see what occurs after that, who we’re going to have after that. And possibly that’s going to be a little more interesting combat to retire on.”
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