Australian UFC champion Alex Volkanovski has opened up on his desire to become a double champion – and achieve something even the great Conor McGregor didn’t.
Volkanovski, the current UFC featherweight champion and number one ranked pound-for-pound fighter, will take on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in Perth next February – with a win landing him a double champion; or “champ-champ” as coined by McGregor when he held both titles back in 2016.
McGregor, who has verbally sparred with Volkanovski in recent months, was the first fighter to ever hold UFC belts in two different weight divisions at the same time – but never defended both titles.
Watch UFC 280: Oliveira v Makhachev LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo, Sunday 23 October from 15am AEST. ORDER NOW >
That’s a feat Volkanovski says he’s ready to attempt, as he plans to fight every three months across both divisions.
“Being active in two belts is something no one has done well. Especially in two stacked divisions that you need to keep active. That is a big task that I look forward to doing it. That motivates me,” he told Fox Sports from the UFC 284 launch in Perth.
“A lot of people think it can’t be done, I’ll show you.
Who let him in – Rob in awe of Pereira | 01:25
“I did a camp, broke my hand in my last fight and was willing to fight three months later with a broken hand, surgery you name it. Tell me someone who’s doing that. You telling me I can’t keep two divisions active? Again, I understand why they think that because not many people can do it or will do it, but I’ll show you.
“I’ve got a big challenge ahead of me … then we’ll see what the next challenge is. I want to be active in both divisions.
“With the right mindset, I want to show the world anything’s possible.
RELATED NEWS
‘MAKES SENSE’ UFC boss makes huge call on Volk’s next fight
HILARIOUS JAB ‘Who let this guy in?’ Aussie great’s reaction to rival’s boilover
KO’ED Star’s agent says immediate rematch unlikely
“The position I’m putting myself in, people think is a very hard task (in two weight categories) but trust me, nothing is impossible. Nobody is unstoppable and I’m going to show you that.
“I’m going to show what the right man with the right mindset is capable of and I’m the right man for the job.
“That story is going to mean a lot more to me than holding two belts.”
Volkanovski said he’s prepared to commit to both weight divisions in an attempt to add “to the legacy”.
“This is absolutely massive – no one in my position would probably do this, and this is what separates you from the rest,” he said.
Izzy questions early stoppage at UFC 281 | 01:11
“There’s going to be a lot of people doubting me. Just remember how impossible you thought this was when I win (against Makhachev) and remember to give me that respect … don’t change the narrative once I win. All of sudden he’s just a normal human being – you said he’s unstoppable. Remember that – give me that respect when it’s all said and done. Put me where I belong.”
Volkanovski, dubbed The Great who holds a stunning 25-1 record, opened up on the moment he told UFC organisers he wanted a fight in the lightweight division, despite holding the featherweight belt.
“We had to have that conversation – they want to know exactly what you want. (They asked) ‘What about the featherweight competition? We don’t want people waiting around’ and all that and I’m telling them, you won’t need to. Right now all I want is fighting Islam (Makhachev). That’s what I want.
“They talked to the team, they took it serious.
“There wasn’t push back (on fighting in the two divisions) but they wanted to see what would happen.
“I was telling them I wanted to do both divisions but they were like, ‘Look man, what if you get injured and all of a sudden two divisions are down?’ So I understand that. I’m more than OK with the whole interim title (on the line at Perth UFC 284). I think that’s good – even though I believe I’m going to be more active. It gives me a next guy, a clear guy. Beautiful. Once I get both belts, I’ll be like, ‘OK get me a fight. I want another fight’.
Pereira dethrones Adesanya in classic! | 01:25
“I want to fight – I ain’t going to be young forever.
“It’s a prime time right now and I want to take advantage of that. I want a fight every three months. One division I’d struggle to do that; two divisions we can make that happen.”
Volkanovski said despite his bulking up for the lightweight division, he doesn’t believe he’ll have any issue cutting weight to get back down to featherweight when the time comes.
“It probably makes my featherweight division diet easier,” he said.
“I’ll probably have to be pretty disciplined a whole year round, but I’m willing to do that however long I’m in this UFC for.
“I want to build this legacy and take this opportunity that I have in front of me so I can look after my family for the rest of my life.
‘What a fight!’ Poirier CHOKES Chandler | 01:34
“I knew I had to do the whole Max Holloway thing for a third time and go out there and show them, say ‘I told ya!’ I don’t want to sound cocky or anything like that… You need to earn these opportunities. They shouldn’t be given. Some people get s**t given. I’ve never had nothing given to me. I go and take what I want. I make sure I deserve it.
“The people who doubted me, the underdog story, that type of stuff … I try my best to inspire people – I’m just a regular guy from a small town doing massive things.”
