UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his title in July against interim title holder Yair Rodriguez, marking his return to the Octagon and setting the stage for an exciting showdown between the two champions.
Volkanovski, 34, is looking to bounce back after suffering a razor-close decision loss earlier this year to Islam Makhachev, with the Australian failing in his bid to become a two-weight world champion.
The former rugby league player still holds lofty ambitions to one day clinch the lightweight crown, but for now must take care of matters at 145 pounds, with Mexican star Rodriguez eager to take his belt.
UFC president Dana White confirmed on Wednesday that Volkanovski will face his challenger on July 8, where the pair will headline the International Fight Week card in Las Vegas.
Fellow Australian Robert Whittaker will also feature on the main card, when the former middleweight champion takes on South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis in the Octagon. The winner is expected to face Israel Adesanya.
Alexander Volkanovski’s next UFC fight has been confirmed for Las Vegas in July
The Australian suffered defeat in his most recent Octagon appearance vs Islam Makhachev
Should Volkanovski see off the challenge of Rodriguez, there are plenty of options on the table for the all-conquering 34-year-old. While he has his sights set on 155 pounds, he has also been called out by big names at bantamweight.
Aljamain Sterling has voiced his desire to face the Australian should he defend his belt against Sean O’Malley, while former champion Henry Cejudo is still eager to face Volkanovski despite losing at UFC 288.
‘Alexander, pound-for-pound, this guy’s been competing,’ Cejudo’s coach Eric Albarracin said recently. ‘I’d like to see Henry really build up to this fight, not only physically, but more getting into a rhythm.
‘But even more so, as Henry gets into his YouTube career, you have to always think twice as he becomes a businessman.
‘I could see him beating Volkanovski, and then what’s left? You don’t go back down.
The 34-year-old will face interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290
‘So this kind of builds it up. So now everything builds, from his YouTube channel, from his mental mindset, from his physical mindset.
‘He gets into his rhythm, he gets the crowd, he’s getting pay-per-views, everybody wants to see him. Now he’s made a name for himself again.
‘Now they can’t deny him. Now let’s make the pound-for-pound versus the greatest combat athlete of all-time. Can Henry become C4? Or can Alexander Volkanovski take out the greatest combat athlete of all-time.’
