Volkanovski Unfazed by Topuria’s Potential Move to Lightweight: “Let Him Chase the Second Belt”

MMA fans, we’ve got some serious featherweight drama brewing. Alexander Volkanovski, the former king of 145, isn’t sweating Ilia Topuria’s reluctance to grant him an immediate rematch. In fact, Volk seems completely cool with Topuria potentially moving up to lightweight to chase double-champ status first.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Volk’s Surprising Take on Topuria’s Lightweight Ambitions

In a recent interview that caught everyone off guard, Volkanovski expressed zero frustration about Topuria potentially delaying their rematch to pursue lightweight gold.

“Look, I wanted the rematch right away – we all know that,” Volkanovski said. “But I’m not going to sit here and cry about it. If he wants to chase that second belt, go for it. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I know what it’s like to have those big goals.”

This is a surprising stance from the Aussie star, who suffered a shocking knockout loss to Topuria at UFC 298 back in February. Most former champs would be demanding an immediate run-back, especially after Volk’s dominant reign over the division.

The Featherweight Division’s Uncertain Future

With Topuria potentially eyeing the lightweight belt, the featherweight division could be in limbo. Several contenders are already positioning themselves in the queue:

• Max Holloway (coming off that insane BMF win over Justin Gaethje)
• Movsar Evloev (undefeated and hungry)
• Diego Lopes (making serious waves with spectacular performances)
• Brian Ortega (back in the win column against Yair Rodriguez)

I’ve covered this division for years, and I’ve never seen it this stacked. The crazy thing? Volkanovski could easily slide right back into a title shot if Topuria takes an extended break to pursue 155.

Why Topuria Is Looking Up, Not Back

Topuria has made no secret of his ambitions. After dispatching Volkanovski, “El Matador” immediately called for a shot at lightweight gold. And honestly, who can blame him?

The current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has cleared out most top contenders, and the UFC loves nothing more than champion vs. champion superfights. It’s a win-win for Topuria – bigger paycheck, bigger legacy, and less weight cutting.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Topuria hasn’t officially turned down the Volkanovski rematch. This appears to be strategic posturing as negotiations continue behind the scenes.

What’s Next for Volkanovski?

The big question: What does Volk do while waiting? At 35, he doesn’t have time to waste.

“I’m ready whenever,” Volkanovski stated. “Whether it’s Topuria or someone else, I just want to get back in there and prove I’m still the best featherweight on the planet.”

There’s something admirable about Volk’s approach here. Most fighters would be throwing a fit on social media, but he’s remaining composed and professional. This is exactly why fans have such respect for the former champ.

The UFC’s Scheduling Dilemma

The UFC now faces an interesting scheduling puzzle. Do they book Topuria for a lightweight title shot and risk having the featherweight division stall? Or do they pressure him to defend against Volkanovski first?

My sources inside the organization suggest that the promotion is leaning toward letting Topuria chase the second belt, potentially setting up an interim title fight at featherweight if the timeline extends too long.

And guess who would be the obvious choice for that interim title fight? Yep, Alexander Volkanovski.

The Bottom Line

The Volkanovski-Topuria saga is far from over. While immediate rematches for long-reigning champions have become almost customary in the UFC, Topuria’s star power and undefeated record give him unusual leverage in dictating his next move.

For now, Volk’s surprisingly mature “no problem” attitude might be the smartest play. It keeps him in the good graces of the UFC brass while maintaining his position as the clear number one contender whenever Topuria does decide to defend his 145-pound crown.

What do you think? Should Topuria be forced to defend against Volkanovski first, or is the lightweight move the right call? Drop your thoughts in the comments – I’m genuinely curious what the real MMA fans think about this situation.

Until next time, this is your favorite cage-side correspondent signing off.