Alexander Volkanovski looked unstoppable at UFC 333, dominating Movsar Evloev en route to a second-round TKO victory in Abu Dhabi (highlights here). Evloev teased the rest of the division with his wrestling, but “The Big One” shrugged off his takedowns with ease. It was such a good performance that it really begs the question: What’s left for Volk to do at featherweight?
In a new interview with Submission Radio, Volkanovski’s trainer Joe Lopez discussed the list of potential contenders at 145 pounds. While other champions make big demands and are tough, Lopez sounded confident that Alexander will continue to take on the challenger at 145 if the lightweight superfight doesn’t happen.
“Alex said if he doesn’t take damage or something, he’ll be there again,” Lopez said. “And I think he has a little scratch on his eye.”
As for who could be next, Lopez discussed two possibilities: Aljamain Sterling, should Aljo get past Kevin Vallejos at UFC Qatar, and Jean Silva. It was clear who Lopez preferred.
“I would like Aljo to fight,” he said. “I’m pretty good friends with Aljo and I’ve discussed it with him and we’ve been down about it… I just hope Aljo puts on a show and then he gets a crack at the title because Aljo deserves it. He’s been there. He’s a former champion.”
“It would also be nice for Volk to take out a legend like Aljo. It’s a nice name to have on your resume.”
“Jean Silva makes a lot of noise and he’s a great fighter, but I don’t think he’s earned this spot,” Lopez said. “There are many men ahead of him who have done much better, for example Aljo himself is higher in the rankings and is a more formidable candidate than Jean Silva.”
“Look, he’s a powerful guy and that’s all he’s got. If he hits you with one of his punches, he can obviously knock you out. But if you look at what Diego (Lopes) did to him on the ground and just tear him up, when Alex took him to the ground, it’s over. No questions.”
UFC CEO Dana White suggested Volkanovski wouldn’t be able to ask anything they wouldn’t take seriously consider giving it to him. This sounds like an opening for a third shot at the UFC lightweight title, which Volkanovski would love to have. Are they serious about this offer or is Volk just another chess piece to facilitate negotiations between all the lightweight contenders? We’ll have to wait and see.
