Volkanovski Eyed for White House Showdown as UFC’s Australian King Stays Busy
Alexander Volkanovski, the undisputed king of the UFC’s featherweight division, appears to have his next challenger lined up. Following a dominant title defence in Sydney earlier this year, the Australian powerhouse is being strongly tipped for a significant bout, with calls emerging for him to feature on a truly historic UFC card – potentially on the White House lawn.
The 37-year-old cemented his legendary status in February with a clinical performance against Diego Lopes, showcasing the skills and determination that have made him a fan favourite worldwide. Volkanovski, boasting a formidable record of 28 wins and 4 losses, has openly expressed his desire to remain active and continue adding to his illustrious career this year.
It now looks increasingly likely that Volkanovski will defend his 145lb belt against the undefeated Movsar Evloev. Evloev recently secured his claim to a title shot by defeating fellow top contender Lerone Murphy via a majority decision at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday.
Following his victory, Evloev wasted no time in calling out the reigning champion. “He’s [Volkanovski] been waiting for me for a really long time and before he gets too old let’s make it happen,” Evloev stated, expressing his readiness. “May I’m ready and if Alex is ready, let’s dance.”
Volkanovski, never one to shy away from a challenge, was quick to respond, embracing the prospect of a swift return to the octagon. “Old man Volk. This old man still has some tricks left,” the proud Australian declared. “Bring it on. He’s right, I have been calling him out because I believe he has been deserving for quite some time. I love that he said May. That means he’s ready to turn it around pretty quick.”
The UFC’s schedule is certainly heating up over the coming months. UFC 327 is slated for mid-April, followed by UFC 328 in May, which will feature a highly anticipated main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.
However, the most intriguing prospect on the horizon is ‘UFC Freedom 250’, scheduled for June 15th. This landmark event is set to take place on the hallowed grounds of the White House lawn. According to renowned UFC commentator Joe Rogan, this unique venue would be significantly elevated by the inclusion of Australia’s own Volkanovski.
“White House lawn, let’s go – give the man a couple of months off, we’re only in March and it’s in June,” Rogan suggested on his Fight Companion podcast. “Come on, spice that card up baby.”
The current lineup for UFC Freedom 250 already boasts significant star power. The main event will see Ilia Topuria defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira is set to move up to the heavyweight division to face Ciryl Gane for an interim title, with Tom Aspinall still recovering from an eye injury.
Should the UFC aim to “spice it up” as Rogan advocates, few fighters could add more excitement and draw than the immensely popular Volkanovski. His inclusion would undoubtedly transform an already stacked card into an event of historic proportions.
While a fight in May is on the table, another potential window for Volkanovski’s return to the octagon could be during International Fight Week, typically held in Las Vegas towards the end of June. This period is a highlight of the UFC calendar, attracting a massive international audience and showcasing the sport’s biggest stars. The prospect of Volkanovski featuring on either the White House card or during International Fight Week presents an exciting future for Australian MMA fans and the sport as a whole.
