Featherweight contender Alex Volkanovski says he's pissed off at the scheduled UFC 240 title fight between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar, but is intent on facing the winner later this year.
Just days after earning the biggest win of his career and, seemingly a shot at the 145 pound title, Volkanovski found out current champion Holloway is defending the strap against Edgar in July.
On top of that, Volkanovski's trip back to Australia from Brazil was derailed when he was forced off his flight in Chile with an infection.
News of Holloway's match-up with Edgar broke at about the same time Volkanovski was being checked into a hospital.
MORE: Holloway to defend against Edgar
The Sydney-sider finally returned to Australia this week, eight days after his unanimous decision win over Aldo.
After outclassing one of the greatest featherweights of all time at UFC 237, MMA fans around the world expected Volkanovski to get the next shot at Holloway.
After attempting to book Hollway-Edgar twice in the past, the UFC is trying a third time, with former lightweight champion Edgar reportedly being paid back after taking a late-notice fight with Brian Ortega last year.
Volkanovski addressed the bout for the first time via social media on Tuesday.
"I was pretty pissed off with timing of the announcement @BlessedMMA vs @FrankieEdgar," he wrote on Instagram.
"In saying that, the plan for me was always fighting for the belt later this year, and the @UFC have made it clear as #1 contender, I’m next in line.
"I wish Max & Frankie all the best, and I look forward to meeting either of you in the octagon later in the year."
Volkanovski's win over Aldo extends his undefeated streak to 17 professional bouts in a row, seven of which have been in the UFC.
Those wins include a stoppage defeat over Chad Mendes in Los Angeles, a tough decision victory over Darren Elkins in Idaho last July and a TKO defeat of Jeremy Kennedy in Perth in February 2018.
Edgar, who ended up losing his last minute match-up with Ortega last March, hasn't fought since an April 2018 win over Cub Swanson.
Holloway has defended the featherweight belt twice - in a rematch with Aldo and a fourth round TKO over Ortega - and is coming off a five-round decision defeat to Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title.