Alexander Volkanovski is almost certain to headline in Australia again this year – and potentially, in a UFC lightweight title rematch – after declaring he should have been the rightful winner against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284.
Only hours after a UFC championship fight so controversial the phrase “robbery” was trending on Twitter, Volkanovski himself took to social media and claimed, after watching a replay of the main event, that he had won three of five rounds against the Dagestani bogeyman.
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As a result, the UFC featherweight champ is demanding an immediate rematch, with Australia the most likely destination.
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia this week, the UFC will be returning Down Under for a second event in 2023 following Volkanovski’s incredibly controversial, and highly courageous, championship loss in Perth.
Speaking after Sunday’s main event, UFC Australia boss Dave Shaw confirmed the company would “definitely” be returning for a second show this year — with Australia’s No. 1 fighter the obvious favourite for top billing.
But as for who it will be against?
If Volkanovski has his way, it has to be Makhachev — with the Windang product convinced he should be waking today as a UFC ‘champ champ’.
Makhachev v Volkanovski Fight Highlights | 03:05
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Taking to Twitter only hours after his unanimous decision loss inside a heaving RAC Arena, Volkanovski said having watched the fight back he was convinced that rounds two, three and five were his.
The 34-year-old’s claim also received a host of heavyweight support Stateside, with popular US fight types like Joe Rogan, Nate Diaz and Brendan Schaub all agreeing ‘The Great’ had won.
Plenty more like Kenny Florian and Cody Garbrandt also led calls for an immediate rematch, with that second round being the most contentious of the five.
“Just watched the fight,” Volkanovski tweeted early on Sunday evening. “I definitely think I won 2, 3 and 5. Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime!”
Plenty more agreed.
“Oh my God,” Rogan said as the scorecards were read aloud, having been part of a live watch party online. “We were convinced … in my eyes I thought it was three, two (Volkanovski)”.
Schaub agreed adding: “That’s insane.
“He got robbed.
“He got f…ing robbed. Volk won that fight.”
Volk gives gracious post-fight interview | 02:30
On the official scorecards, two judges gave Volkanovski rounds three and five, while a third gave him only the final round.
Yet given the contentious nature of his loss, and the incredible way the father-of-two not only fought, but finished strongest, there is no doubting his stocks have received a huge boost both at home and internationally.
Shaw added that Australia now had an “embarrassment of riches” when it came to UFC talent – with breakout welterweight Jack Della Maddalena the other big winner out of UFC 284.
Should Volkanovski not be granted the Makhachev rematch, he will instead defend his featherweight strap against Mexican Yair Rodriguez – who earned an interim title belt after submitting American Josh Emmett in the co-main.
Either of those fights would be a guaranteed blockbuster for Volkanovski, who would create history by headlining on homesoil twice in the same year.
Asked about the company’s planned return Down Under this year, Shaw stated: “We haven’t made a decision on what the next event is.
“I’m not sure the timing of our return, but we will definitely be here at some point this year.”
Asked soon after if Volkanovski could now be asked to fight anywhere but in Australia given the way he had worked the West Australian crowd into a frenzy, Shaw continued: “If it makes most sense to have him fight here then, yeah (we will).
“And there is a big argument for (that given) the impact he made across the country this week.
JDM secures BRUTAL 1st round finish | 00:59
“Our Pay-Per-View buys were trending to be bigger than our Pay-Per-View buys when Conor McGregor fought.
“So with the impact of Volk and numerous others including Jack Della, it makes sense to come back.”
While Volkanovski wants the Makhachev rematch first, he praised Rodriguez for having earned his way into a title shot at some stage in the future.
“Good win by Yair,” the champ said. “He looked sharp on his feet, caught (Emmett) a couple of times, rocked him a couple of times and caught him in a triangle.
“Good on him.
“And now we’ve got a guy. Now it’s clear.
“So we’ll see what’s happening.”
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia after the fight, both Makhachev and Volkanovski said they were down for a rematch, with the former surprisingly stating: “Why not. Let’s go If they want, let’s go.”
Asked later at the post-fight press conference about the Diaz tweet however, the champ replied: “Honestly, I don’t want to talk to you about this guy.
“I don’t know what he said. Maybe he was smoking something and then watched the fight.”
Similarly, Makhachev cared little for those who believed Volkanovski had been robbed.
“It doesn’t matter how – I won,” he said.
“Now I am not just champion, I am the best fighter in the world.
“People are going to call me not just champ, but best fighter in the world.
“This is my dream … I am very happy.”