Alexander Volkanovski could be considered the top UFC featherweight in history, boasting the division’s longest current winning streak with nine consecutive triumphs. He has notably defeated Max Holloway, who would likely be regarded as the greatest featherweight ever if not for Volkanovski.
Several speculations arise regarding the challenging nature of Alexander Volkanovski as a potential opponent for Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, driven by the outcome of their previous bout. However, the Dagestani lightweight demonstrated his championship caliber by securing a knockout victory over the reigning Undisputed Featherweight Champion, who had stepped into the fight on short notice.
This happened after former UFC champion Charles Oliveira pulled out of the fight against Islam just before UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Many lauded Volk for showing the courage to step up and save the much-awaited PPV event against one of the best lightweight fighters in the world right now.
However, UFC commentator and popular podcast host Joe Rogan feels that Volk should not have accepted that fight at such short notice. This is because Volk is the UFC Featherweight Champion of the world, and he also has the chance to go down as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time.
“You are the world champion. You are one of the best ever, and you have a real opportunity to go down in history as the greatest of all time. Then he gets head kicked with a 10-day count and gets knocked down. That counts,” said Joe Rogan on his podcast.
Joe Rogan also felt that the same mistake was committed by former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, who also accepted a fight on short notice against Khamzat Chimaev, who is one of the most feared opponents in the UFC.
Joe Rogan feels Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev 3 will never happen
Observing Islam Makhachev’s display at UFC 294, Joe Rogan held the belief that he would have emerged victorious against Alexander Volkanovski regardless. Furthermore, Rogan asserted that the outcome would have remained unchanged even if the featherweight champion had a full 12 weeks to prepare for the bout.
The UFC color commentator feels the third fight against Makhachev is no longer on the cards for Alexander Volkanovski. The Australian has lost both fights against the Dagestani fighter.
The undefeated featherweight prospect from Georgia, Ilia Topuria, has been lined up as the next challenger for Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski‘s title defense in the featherweight division at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. So, what will be the outcome of the fight do let us know in the comment.