Australia’s No.1 fighter Alexander Volkanovski has agreed to fight for two world titles in just 22 days against Brazilian star Charles Oliveira over summer, despite conceding the idea makes little sense.
Currently in Abu Dhabi serving as a back up fighter for UFC 280 lightweight title showdown, Volkanovski offered a “let’s do it” when asked about the idea of fighting for both lightweight and featherweight gold in consecutive months next year.
The bold challenge came around the same time on Friday that UFC officials confirmed fellow Aussie Robert Whittaker will face Paulo Costa on what should be a bumper UFC 284 card in Perth, next February.
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Despite wanting to fight for the UFC middleweight strap next – and also having been challenged by IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia – Whittaker will instead look to further confirm his claims as the division’s No.1 contender against Costa.
Given Whittaker will not be fighting for the strap in Perth, it means the Down Under blockbuster will almost certainly be headlined by a Volkanovski title fight.
But as for what strap will be on the line?
Earlier this week, a bizarre blueprint was pitched by Oliveira, who is looking to reclaim lightweight gold in his UFC 280 title showdown with Islam Makhachev this Sunday (AEST).
Despite having already been guaranteed first shot at the winner by UFC president Dana White, Volkanovski has still travelled halfway around the world this week to serve as a back-up for the headliner.
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Asked about facing Australia’s UFC featherweight king, Oliveira said he wanted to first defend the strap against Volkanovski at UFC 283 on January 21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He then offered to turn around and head Down Under the following month, with UFC 284 – which Volkanovski is heavily favoured to headline — having recently been confirmed for Perth on February 12.
While the idea of fighting twice in such a short turnaround seems impossible, the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter said, if Oliveira could make it, he had no problems.
“Mate, let’s do it,” Volkanovski told MMA Junkie.
“If anyone could do it, it’s me.
“If he can get that done, let’s do it.
“Obviously I don’t know if it makes too much sense, but I’m down. I’m down for whatever.
“I don’t know if that can even happen, but if they’re happy to do it, I’m happy to do it. It’s as simple as that.”
Even if Volkanovski fails to get a fight this weekend, the former Wollongong concreter still expects to be next in line for the lightweight title – regardless of where the bout takes place.
The champ added that he was also happy to hear Makhachev state this week that he’d also be willing to fight him in Australia.
“Seems like my next fight will definitely be the lightweight title,” Volkanovski said. “So that’s why I put myself in that position so let’s see what happens.”
