Alexander Volkanovski has hit back at suggestions it would take only one axe kick from UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan for his legendary career to be over, branding the outspoken Armenian “hilarious”.
The declaration comes as Volkanovski has also opened up on the growing number of fighters now demanding to be next up should he win at UFC 325 this Sunday – with the circling challengers including Movsar Evloev, Lerone Murphy, Max Holloway, Jean Silva … and now Tsarukyan.
Despite rumours of a potential Sydney retirement, Volkanovski has vowed to fight on – and potentially for another six fights – should be beat Brazilian Diego Lopes in their Qudos Bank rematch.
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 | SUN 1 FEB 1PM AEDT | For the first time in his storied career, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his championship in his home city of Sydney, in a rematch with Brazil’s Diego Lopes | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports >
The Windang warrior has vowed to create “a moment” for Australian fight fans this Sunday, which also unveiling the shock new guest list for his hugely popular Cooking With Volk show.
Only hours before Volkanovski addressed a large media contingent in Sydney on Wednesday morning, Tsarukyan revealed on air with Ariel Helwani that he is considering a shock drop down in weight to challenge ‘The Great’.
Despite being ranked the No.2 UFC lightweight challenger, the 29-year-old warned he could move down and make quick work of Australia’s favourite MMA star, stressing: “One axe kick— that’s it. Dot com”.
The bold call comes only a day after Volkanovski told Fox Sports Australia he could potentially move up himself next if it meant at shot at Max Holloway’s BMF title – should the Hawaiian great beat Charles Oliveira in April.
‘I could fit another six fights in!’ | 01:33
The Wollongong slugger also tipped his featherweight division’s two most likely title challengers, Evloev and Murphy, will likely now throw down for the right to face him – and tipped Russia’s Evloev the man he expects to win.
Elsewhere, Volk also suggested Brazilian Silva was not yet deserving of a shot at his UFC featherweight strap, despite having called for exactly that after defeating England’s Arnold Allen at UFC 324 last weekend.
Now days later, another UFC star has joined the list.
Told of Tsarukyan’s bold claim on Wednesday, and then asked if he would be willing to accommodate him, Volkanovski replied with a grin: “Yeah, I love challenges.
“And he would obviously be a tough challenge if he can get down here.
“It would definitely be a tough challenge.”
And as for the “one axe kick – that’s it” claim?
“He says he’s going to axe kick, obviously he’s going to want to wrestle,” Volk continued, still smiling.
“But I like the guy.
“He’s hilarious.
“That PR run he went on was incredible.
“And if we face off, my takedown defence is solid.
“And if we get that, I’ll remind him.”
Volk breaks down Diego Lopes rematch | 11:28
Asked who would be the toughest challenge on his list of potential contenders, Volkanovski listed Tsarukyan and Evloev, the hyped Russian star who is undefeated in all 19 professional appearances.
“So with Movsar, even the wrestling side of things, I’d love that,” Volkanovski continued.
“When you talk about legacy, you’ve got guys like Movsar undefeated.
“Obviously I’ve got a job to do this weekend but later … Movsar, Lerone, they both have incredible records.
“And Arman if he wants to come down, yeah, that’s a challenge too.
“I feel like my takedown defence is fairly solid so that would be a fun one.”
And as for Silva also calling for next?
“I thought that was going to be a real challenge for him,” he said of last weekend’s Allen fight. “And he passed it.
“Looked good in the later rounds as well, and that’s what you want to see from a prospect.
“A guy that’s going to be calculated in Arnold, who is quite fit as well.
“But Silva showing he has the cardio to get through against someone like that is quite promising.
“But has he earned a title shot just yet? I don’t think so.
“I think we’re going to get Mosvar and Lerone fighting, and that one makes the most sense.
“Especially where their records are, and the resume they have.
“Legacy wise that looks great one for me.”
Elsewhere, Volkanovski also stressed he had not ruled out another shot at now reigning UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria, saying: “We’ll see what happens from here.
“Whether Ilia will be bouncing back — I think he said he would like mid year [against new interim champ Justin Gaethje].
“So we’ll see what happens. It’s a stacked division, you’ve got Arman as well.
“A couple of wins maybe I’ll be back in that conversation.”
Volk also opened up on his surprise list for future Cooking With Volk collaborators, which started when a journalist asked if he would be willing to work with Holloway – who has already beaten in three featherweight title bouts.
“Oh, 100 per cent,” the champ stressed.
“And it’s good, man because I get along with everyone anyone, right?
“Even Islam [Makhachev], I’m going to do a Cooking with Volk with him.
“With Ilia, too.
“Everyone, even if I have to face them.
“I’ll do a Cooking with Volk with Lopes tomorrow if he wanted. I wouldn’t care.”
Classic Dan Hooker SOUNDS OFF on BSD | 05:03
Volkanovski also said he was looking forward to having a massive title defence in his own backyard.
“Yeah, for sure,” he started. “And I want to have a big moment here.
“That’s what I love about being here in Sydney.
“When I’m travelling away, everyone can’t be there live, they can’t be in the arena and feel the atmosphere.
“But here, I get to do that.
“Not only have an exciting fight, but all my supporters, my family and friends … give them that feeling, that moment they’re going to remember forever.
“Because while they still get those moments at home through the TV, there ain’t nothing like it … especially when Land Down Under plays.
“I can only imagine what that is going to be like walking out.
“And I want them to feel that energy.
“And then having an opponent like Lopes, we’re going to put on a show. I want to get my hand raised and give everyone that moment.”
And as for how long the champ expects to keep going?
“It’s how you get through camps,” he explained. “And I was able to get through this camp by making the right adjustments.
“Yes, I am 37.
“But the intensity was still there.
“We maybe pulled back the volume a little bit, and if you make those adjustments you can have a long career.
“Obviously it’s all about the health as well.
“But I plan on taking minimal damage out there [against Lopes], having a quick turnaround and then we’ll see what happens after that.
“You’ve seen a lot of people saying ‘oh, this is going to be his last one’.
“And obviously I’ve put that one to bed.
“It’s definitely not the right time … I’ve still got a bit left in me.
“I just want to be active.
“Because how much longer am I going to have? If I’m going to be active, yeah, I could fit another six in.
“So we’ll see where we go.
“Have minimal damage in this one and then mid-year. I expect to be a lot more active this year.”