Why Dana White is willing to bend the rules for ‘straight killer’ Alex Volkanovski
UFC president Dana White is notoriously hard-headed, but he’s willing to bend one rule for Alex Volkanovski.
Alex Volkanovski is a “real gangster,” whose willingness to fight up a weight class for a world title on just 11 days’ notice has put the Sydneysider on the verge of doing what only one other fighter in the history of the UFC has done.
If he beats Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi tomorrow morning, Volkanovski will add the lightweight title to his featherweight belt, and the 35-year-old is adamant on defending them both at the same time.
Amanda Nunes is the only fighter to ever defend belts in two weight classes simultaneously, with UFC president Dana White vehemently opposing the idea.
But, after Volkanovski stepped in to save this weekend’s main event, and considering his featherweight dominance, the notoriously stubborn White is willing to bend the rules.
“I hate it, and there’s only certain people I’d do it with, but Volk is one of them,” White told this masthead at Friday’s weigh-ins. “Volk and Adesanya come out of the same camp, and that camp is just straight gangsters.
“These guys believe they’re the best, they want to stay active and take fights on short notice.
“I’d do anything with the type of guys who have that mindset.
“The guys are straight killers, real gangsters.”
Volkanovski, who cut 12 kilograms in 11 days to make the 155-pound lightweight limit, is a $3.10 underdog, and White outlined the size of the task ahead of him against a fighter like Makhachev who is riding a 12-fight win streak.
“It’s almost impossible to hold one title here,” he said. “To hold two, if there’s a guy that you come across in this sport that you think is good enough to do it, you absolutely, positively do it.
“And Volkanovski is one of those guys.”
This weekend’s bout will be Volkanovski’s third fight in eight months. He was initially scheduled to fight Ilia Topuria in Toronto in February, and says he still intends on fighting on that card.
That kind of fight schedule is virtually unheard of for a UFC champion.
“At that level, the amount of money you’re making, you don’t have to turn around and keep fighting,” White said. “You have to have a special individual that you believe in who can turn around and do it, and Volkanovski is that guy.
“Look at his mentality and what he’s willing to do. He’s willing to step up on short notice and take fights like this.”
Volkanovski has already proven his ability to be ready at either weight class.
Since beating Jung Chan-sung at UFC 273 in April 2022, Volkanovski has either fought in, or made weight as a back-up for every featherweight and lightweight title fight the UFC has held.
He says that track record, and his late-notice call-up this weekend, should prove that he’s capable of keeping both divisions busy.
“I’ve been vocal all week about the fact I’ve been at every lightweight at featherweight fight since Korean Zombie,” he told this masthead. “We’re talking seven fights or whatever it is.
“I’ve been there fighting or for one I made weight, so I’ve already looked after the two divisions single handedly.
“If anyone can do it it’s me. Actually, if anyone has done it it’s me. I’ve literally done it.”
Originally published as Why Dana White is willing to bend the rules for ‘straight killer’ Alex Volkanovski
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