UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski strengthened his already all-time great legacy with a dominant win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
The 34-year-old scored a third-round TKO victory over the dangerous Mexican to record his fifth defence of the title at 145-pounds.
But what's next for Alexander the Great?
MORE: Who is fighting in Sydney when the UFC returns to Australia?
Will Alex Volkanovski be fighting at UFC 293 in Sydney?
The UFC has already announced they will be returning to Sydney with a pay-per-view on September 10.
Israel Adesanya has been pencilled in to headline at UFC 293 but his good mate Volkanovski won’t be competing.
Speaking following his victory at UFC 290, Volkanovski confirmed he needed a surgical cleanout on his elbow, while the event also comes as his wife is due to give birth.
“It definitely rules out Sydney,” Volkanovski said on The MMA Hour.
“That was never really- my wife, she’s due two days before that event, on the eighth.”
Where will Alex Volkanovski fight next?
With Sydney in September ruled out, Volkanovski is still keen to get back in the cage as soon as possible.
UFC 294 is locked in for Abu Dhabi on October 23, which the New South Welshman previously suggested was a more realistic timeline.
However, it appears that he will not get this chance, with Dana White announcing that Islam Makhachev will face a rematch with Charles Oliveira for the Lightweight belt.
Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 is official for UFC 294 on Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 20, 2023
Paulo Costa x Khamzat Chimaev is also official for that card.
First reported by Chael Sonnen on The MMA Hour (in April 🤯).
Having come so close to defeating Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth, Volkanovski is desperate for a rematch and another shot at the lightweight championship.
When previously asked whether fighting in Abu Dhabi was on the cards, Volkanovski was emphatic.
“I don’t think so. I’m very hopeful, definitely don’t rule me out for that,” he told Ariel Helwani.
“I’m planning and hoping this is just a little clean up [on his elbow], got to get a few things out of there and it’s not going to be any more than that.
“If that lightweight title fight is on the line, we make that happen.”
MORE: Is Alex Volkanovski the featherweight GOAT?
Who will Alex Volkanovski fight next?
After his victory over Rodriguez, UFC boss Dana White suggested he’d let Volkanovski steer the ship regarding his next move.
As it stands, it appears there are three main contenders, spread across three weight classes.
The Makhachev fight was the obvious option and one Volkanovski has publicly called for.
However, Makhachev's recently announced rematch with Oliveira has put Volk's second attempt at the Russian in jeopardy.
In his own featherweight division, Ilia Topuria has emerged as a possible challenger, putting together a 14-0 record as a professional and talking his fair share of smack in an effort to get the fight.
Speaking about the Topuria fight, Volkanovski said it was on the table.
“He’s very lucky that the timing of everything for him, because he might get a title fight in the position he is,” he said.
“Do I think he’s done more than enough? No I don’t. But people want that fight, I want that fight, everyone’s hyped up for it.
“Obviously that lightweight fight really is something that I want.
“Ilia’s a fun fight, the challenge is with Islam”
The third option in the mix is another champion vs. champion fight, this time involving bantamweight Aljamain Sterling.
Sterling and Sean O’Malley are the main event at UFC 292 on August 20 but Volkanovski floated that as a potential match up should the American wish to move up to 145-pounds.
“If he was to take out Sean O’Malley, I think that would be great for his career,” he said.
“That’s definitely another one. If he does that, he’s paid his dues. He deserves it. I’ll definitely welcome him to the featherweights.”
