Alex Volkanovski going to extremes of preparation despite uncertainty over next opponent for UFC 314

Alex Volkanovski is already taking drastic measures ahead of his long-awaited UFC comeback, but uncertainty over who his opponent might be has led to a direct appeal to UFC Boss Dana White.

Alex Volkanovski has given up alcohol, isn’t having any cheat meals and has travelled to Thailand for fight camp as he prepares for a featherweight title bout he hopes will come at UFC 314 in Miami on April 12.

He just doesn’t know who he’s fighting yet.

The 36-year-old still isn’t sure whether he’ll be fighting champion Ilia Topuria or rising star Diego Lopes, who were both coincidentally in Sydney for UFC 312 last weekend.

Volkanovski has been linked to a rematch with Topuria, but there are rumours the Spaniard will move up to lightweight instead.

If that happens, Volkanovski will likely fight 30-year-old tyro Lopes for the vacant or interim featherweight belt.

Either way, the Sydneysider has a simple message for UFC boss Dana White.

“Feed me, Dana!” Volkanovski told this masthead. “Give me something, is it Ilia, or is it Lopes?

“Who’s is gonna be?

“Dana, if you’re listening, feed the man!”

Volkanovski talks to this masthead about his comeback plans. Picture: Brett Costello Photo: TGI Sport / Brett Costello

Volkanovski hasn’t fought since his shock second round knockout defeat to Topuria in February last year.

No matter who is standing opposite him the next time he steps into the cage, Volkanovski is adamant there will be a title on the line.

“It’s 100% going to be for a belt,” he said. “I just don’t know it’s going to be against – I’m not lying or holding anything back.

“We have a rough date that we want – and even that can change – but not the belt part. It has to be for a belt.

“I haven’t waited this long just to do a contender fight, and they understand that.”

Volkanovski admits he is entering the final phase of his UFC career, and isn’t taking any chances with his preparation.

Just days after cornering teammate Colby Thicknesse at UFC 312, Volkanovski travelled to Thailand for an intense training camp.

“I haven’t had cheat meals, and everyone knows I love my food,” said Volkanovski, who even opened his own deli in Melbourne at the Sportsbet Caulfield Cup last year. “I’m just locking in harder than I ever do.

“I’ve never stopped drinking this far out from a fight.

“I haven’t had a drop of alcohol for a month and I’m probably not fighting for a couple of months. I never do that this early.

Volk has cut back on cheat meals and has stopped drinking in preparation for his next fight. Picture: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

“I’m eating good, but I’m not having these blowout meals on the weekend.

“I want to be a little bit lighter in camp so I’m sharp and peaking at just the right moment.

“I’m dialled in and I’m sacrificing and I’m actually enjoying it. It makes me feel good and feel like I’m doing something more.”

Volkanovski and Topuria only crossed paths a few times last week as the Aussie cornered Thicknesse and ‘El Matador’ cornered his brother Aleksandre.

Despite some tension in the build-up to their first fight, there has been nothing but respect between them ever since.

Volkanovski still wants revenge though, and hinted he might even bring back the ‘Old Man Volk’ character he introduced ahead of their first fight.

“I’ve gotta get that rematch,” he said. “I think that’s the bigger fight as well.

“But I don’t want to wait. If it’s not going to be for another three or four months, then give me Lopes now, then I’ll fight Ilia later.

“We can then build that fight up even bigger once I have the vacated belt or the interim belt.

Volkanovski and Topuria greet each other in the cage at UFC 312 last weekend. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“But I do think Ilia’s eyeballing that lightweight division. And from what he’s saying, at featherweight, he’s only interested in a fight with me.

“I don’t think he likes cutting the weight – he’d do it to fight me, but he’s not doing it for anyone else.

“Once the fight’s announced, maybe I’ll get Old Man Volk back.

“First we need to get the fight locked in though. That’s what I’m telling Dana.”

Lopes is the other major name at featherweight, and the UFC have given him a huge promotional push over the last 12 months.

“The UFC’s definitely pushing him – he’s everywhere,” Volkanovski said. “He’s an exciting young guy.

“He’s getting finishes and he brings that style – he’s willing to fight anyone, anywhere.

“So, he deserves it because he’s that kind of guy and if you do the UFC favours like that, they’ll look after you.

“He’s very exciting, and very dangerous, but when you want to be that dangerous, you do leave openings.

“Ilia, he’s very dangerous, but he doesn’t leave many openings, whereas Lopes is dangerous, but there’s probably a lot of things I can capitalise on.”

Originally published as Alex Volkanovski going to extremes of preparation despite uncertainty over next opponent for UFC 314