Alex Volkanovski News

Zain Bando - October 19, 2023

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was back for another edition of “Blessed Breakdowns,” as he previewed UFC 294, taking place Saturday morning (in the United States), which will be live from Abu Dhabi. The main event features the highly-anticipated rematch between current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski.

Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev had a heated back-and-forth over rehydration during the UFC 294 press conference. Volkanovski and Makhachev fought back in February in Australia and after the fight, Dan Hooker accused the lightweight champ of using an IV to rehydrate. Although it has never been proven, ahead of UFC 294, Makhachev claims having 40 hours to rehydrate before this fight will be a difference in his power.

Cole Shelton - October 18, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t think Islam Makhachev would have stepped up on short notice like he did. Makhachev was supposed to headline UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. However, less than two weeks out from the fight, Oliveira was forced out of the bout due to an injury. Volkanovski ended up stepping up to rematch Makhachev on 12 days’ notice.

Cole Shelton - October 17, 2023

In the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he rematches Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -265 favorite while the featherweight champ is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, which was made on less than two weeks’ notice, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are actually leaning toward Volkanovski pulling off the upset, despite taking it on short notice.

Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski has given his thoughts on the UFC 294 showdown between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev. This weekend, Kamaru Usman will battle Khamzat Chimaev in a fight that many have been waiting a long time to see. Chimaev is one of the biggest rising stars in the promotion, whereas Usman is a former champion who has a lot to prove after two losses to Leon Edwards. It’s going to serve as a huge task for both men, especially given that it’s only been booked for less than a week as a result of Paulo Costa having to pull out.

Josh Evanoff - October 16, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’ll finish Islam Makhachev on Saturday. ‘The Great’ is in a position that he didn’t expect him to be in. Last defeating Yair Rodriguez in July, Alexander Volkanovski was reportedly expected to face Ilia Topuria in January. However, due to an injury to Charles Oliveira, he will step in on short notice to face Islam Makhachev this weekend.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2023

UFC featherweight titleholder Alex Volkanovski has his plans set for the short-notice rematch against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski stepped up to the plate after Charles Oliveira was pulled from a planned championship rematch with Makhachev at UFC 294. Oliveira suffered a nasty cut on his eyebrow during a sparring session. The cut was bad enough that “do Bronx” wasn’t cleared to fight in Abu Dhabi.

Susan Cox - October 13, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski is not feeling any pressure ahead of UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023

Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on what Alexander Volkanovski may do differently at UFC 294. Next weekend, on short notice, Alexander Volkanovski will step in for the injured Charles Oliveira and challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as his second attempt at claiming Makhachev’s belt following a close decision defeat earlier this year.

Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi next Saturday for UFC 294 and the card has changed quite a bit, but Islam Makhachev will remain atop the bill. Makhachev was originally supposed to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The co-main event was supposed to be a middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. However, in the past 24 hours, it was revealed that Makhachev will now be rematching Alexander Volkanovski in the main event for the lightweight title. Also, in the co-main event, Kamaru Usman has replaced Paulo Costa and will now face Khamzat Chimaev.

Susan Cox - October 11, 2023

Islam Makhachev is reacting to Alexander Volkanovski replacing Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are set to run it back in the main event of UFC 294. The folks at the Overdogs Podcast just announced that Charles Oliveira is out of his lightweight title fight on Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi against Makhachev, and Volkanovski has agreed to step in on short notice to rematch Makhachev in less than two weeks. ESPN has since confirmed the news.

Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently got some work with Jamal Murray. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Yair Rodriguez in July at UFC 290. Since then, the featherweight champion has called out a variety of names, including Islam Makhachev. However, as of now, Alexander Volkanovski has yet to book his return to the cage.

Josh Evanoff - September 26, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will seemingly return early next year. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since a title defense against Yair Rodriguez in July at UFC 290. There, Alexander Volkanovski scored a third-round stoppage victory over ‘El Pantera’. That was a massive win for the champion, as he was coming off a controversial loss to Islam Makhachev in February.

Josh Evanoff - September 19, 2023

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley isn’t calling to fight Alexander Volkanovski, but he believes he would win. ‘Sugar’ is fresh off his championship win last month in the main event of UFC 292. There, Sean O’Malley faced longtime bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. ‘The Funk Master’ had previously teased a move to featherweight to face titleholder Alexander Volkanovski, and ‘The Great’ showed interest.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski thinks a rematch against lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev is in order. Makhachev is preparing for a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The current 155-pound champion defeated Oliveira to capture the gold via second-round submission last year. Makhachev followed that up with a close, but unanimous decision victory over Volkanovski earlier this year.

Cole Shelton - September 6, 2023

Israel Adesanya believes Alexander Volkanovski has cemented himself as the GOAT. Volkanovski is the UFC’s current featherweight champion and is undefeated in the weight class. He has only two career losses on his record, one which came on the regional scene at welterweight and the other at 155lbs to Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. However, that fight was close and some thought Volkanovski did enough to get the win.

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2023

The covers for UFC 5 have officially been released. Last week it was reported that Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko would be on the cover of the regular game. On Tuesday, EA Sports officially revealed the cover and it was Volkanovski and Shevchenko on the cover as expected.