Alexander Volkanovski will almost certainly knock back the opportunity to headline a UFC Sydney blockbuster this September despite new featherweight threat Ilia Topuria declaring he has “no f…ing problem” with a Down Under championship bout.

Less than a fortnight out from his hyped UFC 290 headliner against Yair Rodriguez, Volkanovski is being linked to everything from showdowns against the likes of Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev and Topuria through to sharing an Aussie ‘March Madness’ showcase in Las Vegas next year with undefeated boxer Tim Tszyu.

While the UFC would love to have the nation’s No.1 combat star headline a second Pay-Per-View on homesoil in spring, Volkanovski is instead readying to embark on a bold championship run that involves a second push at ‘champ champ’ status before both he and Tszyu potentially share world title bouts in conjunction with 2024 NRL season launch in Las Vegas.

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Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Volkanovski’s manager Ash Belcastro outlined the anticipated future for his superstar client, which starts with his UFC 290 showdown against Rodriguez on July 9.

Apart from being the most unpredictable challenge of Volkanovski’s title run, the International Fight Week headliner is also yet another case of ‘The Great’ rolling the dice on his push to become a two-division champion.

After losing to UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev back in February, Volkanovski was given the option to wait out until an event in Abu Dhabi this October– when Makhachev is scheduled to return.

Instead, the 34-year-old Wollongong native has opted to defend his UFC featherweight strap against incredibly dangerous interim champ Rodriguez.

Should he win, there was initially talk of Volkanovski backing up just nine weeks later for another defence at UFC 293 in Sydney.

Speaking on The MMA Hour this week, the next man in line for Volkanovski’s featherweight belt, Topuria, backed that idea and declared himself ready to fight in the backyard of the champ.

“No f***ing problem,” Topuria said.

“If I think I’m the best in the world, I can beat him in Australia, in Las Vegas, in Miami, in Spain, wherever we go, I beat him.

“Location is no problem.”

However should Volkanovski win at UFC 290 on Sunday week, his manager says the plan is to push for the October rematch against Makhachev before potentially then aligning with the NRL season launch in March.

“We want Makhachev in October,” Belcastro said.

“And if Alex goes out there and puts on a cracking performance against Rodriguex, we think it warrants another shot at the UFC lightweight title.

“First time around, we felt like Alex won that fight.

“And we know it’s definitely going to be a different fight next time.

“We also know the NRL really want Alex to be part of what they’re doing next March and it all sets up well, timing wise, for that to happen.”

Belcastro also revealed UFC officials had initially offered Volkanovski the Makhachev rematch if he was willing to wait until October.

Instead, the Aussie star has decided to roll the dice on one of the year’s most hyped UFC cards, which also includes massive fights for countrymen Robert Whittaker, Jimmy Crute, Jack Della Maddalena and Shannon Ross.

“After the Makhachev fight, the UFC gave us the option to sit out,” Belcastro said.

“We could wait until October, with the UFC featherweight division then continuing on with an interim title, or we could go again.

“And Alex, he’s a gamer. He wants to stay active.

“So we’ve decided to go again.

“Alex wants a challenge, somebody who is going to get him out of bed every day, and Yair definitely brings a look we haven’t seen before.

“So Alex is looking to put on another great performance and move on.”

Only last weekend, Topuria added his name to the growing list of potential rivals for Volkanovski with a dominant showing over Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville.

Apart from keeping his undefeated record intact, it also established the Georgian as one of the division’s most dangerous challengers.

Elsewhere, Volkanovski and McGregor have also exchanged fight offers on social media recently, with the Aussie saying he would happily take a bout against the Irish megastar at lightweight.

While Topuria now appears next in line at featherweight, the fighter also suggested he would be willing to throw down against Max Holloway if arranged for his adopted home of Spain.

But as for UFC 293 in Sydney?

Asked about Volkanovski headlining his second Australian Pay-Per-View event this year, Belcastro said it was extremely unlikely for several reasons – including timing, the Makhachev push and the fact Volkanovski’s wife Emma is due to give birth that same week.

“But look, you never say never,” the manager said.

“And there is definitely a fight there in Ilia Topuria, who would be next in line.

“But the fight we want is Makhachev in October.”

As revealed earlier this month, discussions are also underway to have Tszyu fight what would be his first unified title defence in Las Vegas next March as part of plans being discussed in conjunction with the 2024 NRL season launch.

No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed talks were already underway should Tszyu defeat American superstar Jermell Charlo.

He added that a March headliner would “absolutely” fit into the undefeated Sydneysider’s timeline, given the Charlo bout is slated for October – around the same time Volkanovski wants to throw down against Makhachev.

Initially, promoters No Limit had been hopeful of having Tszyu fight Charlo for all four super welterweight bouts in the world’s fight capital in July.

However, the chance of having Australia’s two biggest fight draws appearing within days of one another was scuppered when Charlo again delayed proceedings because of his ongoing hand injury.