Alex Volkanovski outlines ‘rock solid’ case for featherweight title shot

Australian featherweight contender Alex Volkanovski picked up the biggest victory of his career over the weekend, thumping the former champion Jose Aldo to a unanimous decision triumph on the main card of UFC 237.

With this victory tacked onto his resume, Volkanovski is now a fantastic 19-1 overall — easily one of the best records in the UFC right now. His last seven victories have occurred in the UFC’s Octagon. In addition to Aldo, he’s also defeated top-flight foes like Chad Mendes, Darren Elkins and Jeremy Kennedy.

Needless to say, Volkanovski is almost irrefutably the top contender in the UFC featherweight division, and the next man in line for the reigning champion Max Holloway. Unfortunately for him, Holloway is currently healing up from a five-round lightweight war with Dustin Poirier, and could potentially be out for some time.

While Alex Volkanovski could potentially accept another fight in the meantime if Holloway will be out of action for a prolonged period — particularly an interim title fight — he believes he should be awarded a fight with the champ next.

“Just depends,” he said at the UFC post-fight press conference (via MMA News). “How long will I have to wait? If he’s injured for that long – interim titles are getting thrown around a bit, I’ll fight for that interim title. Make that championship money. But whatever. We’re going to have to sit and talk, but I want that title. I definitely, as you said, my claim is rock solid. I’m undefeated. I just beat the No. 1 contender. So I’m the guy. I really am. I’ve come to Brazil and I took the King of Rio. I said, once I do that, I’ll be the guy that everyone is saying deserves that title, so I just want that shot.”

What do you think the future holds for Alex Volkanovski after UFC 237?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 5/12/2019.