UFC champion Alex Volkanovski fires back at critics who say he shouldn’t have beaten Max Holloway
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has hit back at critics — including UFC boss Dana White — who claim he should not have retained his title in the Abu Dhabi ‘Fight Island’ epic.
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UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has hit back at critics — including UFC boss Dana White — who claim he did not deserve his recent victory over Max Holloway.
Volkanovski retained his belt in an epic rematch with the Hawaiian, earning a tight, split decision victory in Abu Dhabi with several pundits, including White, claiming he should have been on the losing side.
But Volkanovski, who improved his record to 22-1, believes his second victory over Holloway speaks for itself.
“It is tough to hear, but it’s not a surprise. Dana White is not shy of saying what he wants, and it’s pretty clear he’s got people who will favour,” Volkanovski said.
“Max is a drawcard, he’s a big name in our division and I’m sure he wanted to see Max win as well.
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“But at the same time, it was a close fight.
“You can think Max won, whatever, but for you to be in the position you’re in and act like that, I think that’s pretty crazy.
“But at the same time, whatever, his opinion is his opinion and I’m not going to worry too much about it.
“I’m not too worried about it. I don’t need to defend myself.”
Having dispatched Holloway twice and with a victory over long-time champion Jose Aldo to his credit, Volkanovski is rapidly building his case to be the best featherweight of all time.
It’s with that goal in mind that Volkanovski wants to focus on taking out top contenders at featherweight rather than chasing superfights against the likes of former bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo.
“If I fight someone two divisions lower than me, where does that put me?,” Volkanovski said.
“I’m expected to win. How does that help my legacy? How does that help me become the GOAT of my division? I don’t think it does.
“I want my number one contenders. Our division right now is stacked, the top guys are all about to fight each other.
“You want that title shot, get the number one contender spot and I will see you before the year is out. It’s that simple. I’m an easy champion to understand.
“My toughest tests are behind me. The game is evolving and that will change, but right now I see myself beating anyone in my division.
“My toughest test was Max, and I just beat him twice, back to back, and that proves I am where I see myself.
“I’m not cocky, I’m confident and there’s a reason for it.”