UFC 284 news: Alexander Volkanovski’s shot at rare dual titles now a reality

The stakes have never been higher after confirmation Alexander Volkanovski now has a shot on home soil at becoming the first Australian to own two belts at once.

Alexander Volkanovski. Picture: Justin Lloyd

They promised it would happen and now it is.

Alexander Volkanovski (25-1-0) will get his shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (23-1-0) when UFC 284 heads to Perth on February 12 next year, headlining a stacked fight card with a further five Australians so far locked in.

Volkanovski was called into the octagon at UFC 280 after Makhachev captured his title and now the Australian has eyes on his Russian rival’s lightweight crown in a grudge match Down Under.

“New weight, same goal. Nothing better than fighting on home soil,” Volkanovski said.

“I’m ready to prove the doubters wrong. I can’t wait to make history in front of all the Aussie fans.”

Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to become just the second man after Conor McGregor to hold both the lightweight and featherweight titles simultaneously.

If the 34-year-old prevails he will become just the second man after Conor McGregor to hold both the lightweight and featherweight titles simultaneously, and the first Australian to own two belts at once.

Volkanovski is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, while Makhachev has machinations to make himself a part of that conversation after submitting Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title last month.

Aussie former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (25-6-0) is set to face Paulo Costa (14-2-0) as the co-main, though that has yet to be confirmed.

Victorian featherweight Jack Jenkins (10-2-0) earned himself a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this year and will make his debut in Perth against American Don Shainis (12-4-0).

Alexander Volkanovski punches Max Holloway in their featherweight title bout during UFC 276 in Las Vegas this year.

Sydney’s Josh Culibao (10-1-1) is fresh off a win against Seung Woo Choi at UFC 275 in June and will meet Melsik Baghdasaryan (7-1-0 — in the octagon at UFC 278.

Penrith man Tyson Pedro (9-3-0), who trains out of the same Auckland gym as Israel Adesanya, will face Zhang Mingyang (16-6-0) in Perth.

Pedro returned to the Octagon in April after a four-year injury lay-off and landed right back on his feet, recording TKO wins over Isaac Villanueva and Harry Hunsucker.

And Brisbane bruiser Justin Tafa (5-3-0) will make his return from injury when he meets American Parker Porter (13-7-0) in the octagon at UFC 278. Tafa won his most recent fight against Harry Hunsucker in December 2021.