Alexander Volkanovski has already done it all at featherweight. Can history repeat itself at lightweight?
The 34-year-old Aussie joined the UFC in 2016 and has steamrolled past every challenger he has faced. He beat Chad Mendes; took featherweight GOAT Jose Aldo to the limit; dismantled Brian Ortega, and decimated "The Korean Zombie." Not only that, but Volkanovski is 3-0 against Max Holloway. While one of the wins was questionable, Volkanovski systematically broke down the “Blessed” one multiple times.
Since losing his fourth career fight, “The Great” has been just that. He has won 22 in a row. The current UFC featherweight champion is the UFC's pound-for-pound king in the men’s rankings. His dominance is otherworldly, similar to the man who Volkanovski shares his nickname with in Alexander The Great.
Volkanovski’s legacy is established at 145 pounds. There is no denying that. What would it mean if he moved up to 155 and beat the dangerous Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 on February 11?
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 284 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
The fight, between the UFC’s number one and two-ranked fighters, will be inside the RAC Arena in Perth Australia. Volkanovski is the hometown hero and will look to deliver on his promise of becoming a two-division champion in front of over 15,000+ people. If he does that, he will be only the fifth fighter in the UFC to accomplish that.
Despite having the will of the people by his side and the skills to back it up, Volkanovski is the underdog. Per Bet MGM, Makhachev is the -375 favorite, while Volkanovski is the +290 underdog.
Makhachev has beaten fighters in vicious ways. Volkanovski believes he can defy the odds and prove just how different of an animal he is.
“…There are a lot of people out there who fight one-dimensional. But I’m not that,” Volkanovski told Fox Sports Australia. “I’ve proved it. And what about the striking department? Shooting on me is going to be a lot different for Islam. He’s never fought anyone with my movement.
“And I’m not just moving for the sake of it, either. I’m calculated. There are reasons for my movement. So you make one false move, attempt one lazy takedown, and I’m going to make you pay. How about that? People aren’t talking about that. They’re talking about the David and Goliath battle because that’s all they see. And that’s fine, let them talk. Let me be the underdog. It will all add to my legacy.”
MORE: How to bet UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski wants to remain active following this fight (win or lose). He may end up facing the winner of the co-main event, which is an interim title fight between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett. If he holds both titles by the end of UFC 284, Volkanovski, at that point, can do whatever his heart desires. He will literally hold all the cards.
Don’t get it twisted, this is a true superfight between two of the very best in the UFC. It's what makes this all the more interesting, especially in Volkanovski’s case.
MORE: Ranking every UFC PPV event held in Australia
If Volkanovski gets his double-crowning moment at UFC 284, the history books will look kindly on his impressive run. If he doesn’t win, he can still dominate his current division. Nothing will change; it'll be business as usual for the challenger. There would be nothing else to prove, he'll just have one empty shoulder.
Then again, MMA can be a cruel and unforgiving sport, as wins and losses can make or break the interest in a fighter. What will you think of Volkanovski following UFC 284, win or lose?
