Alexander Volkanovski will not follow the footsteps of Conor McGregor as he begins his reign in the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight class.
The Australian fighter pulled off a shocker last weekend when he defeated Max Holloway in their UFC 245 co-main event clash in Las Vegas.
Landing a new record of 46 leg kicks through three rounds, Volkanovski cruised to a unanimous decision win to become the new king of the 145-pound division.
In his young UFC career, he already beaten the two greatest featherweights in the history in Holloway and Jose Aldo.
To this, Volkanovski believes his name will be in the GOAT conversation soon.
“I’m not a cocky type of person, but I’m confident,” he told Sporting News.
“I said that this was going to happen and I’ve gone out there and done that.”
“I’ve taken down two of the featherweight GOATs – there’s always talks about who is the greatest featherweight – and I took them both out.
“That’s saying that I’m well on my way to being one of the GOATs myself.”
Staying Busy
Continuing, the Australian champion said he plans to have a busy fighting career now that he is a UFC champion.
While he is interested in winning another belt in different weight class, Volkanovski said defending his featherweight title is the top priority.
“I’d be lying if I said that’s [moving up a division] not an option, but at the same time featherweight is my division and I need to take out the guys in that division.”
“If people want to throw money fights at me and serious money, I’m going to take it.”
“I reckon I’ll be the GOAT of my division very soon and to do that I need to defend my belt.”
“You’ve got guys like [UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion] Henry Cejudo, who hasn’t defended, Conor McGregor did that; I don’t want to be like that.”
“I’ll defend my belt. If something comes along I’ll do that and then I’ll defend my belt again. I like to stay busy.”
Pound-For-Pound Contender
Now 8-0 in the UFC, the featherweight champion has no plans of slowing down and is targeting to crack the pound-for-pound rankings next.
“Beating Max probably helps me skip a few fights.”
“Give me a few more fights and people will start throwing my name around there as a pound-for-pound contender.
“I’ve never been the type to be all, ‘I’m doing this for my legacy’ and all that, but it’s happening. I need to win, I need to win for family but I’m building a legacy while doing that as well.”
As for an immediate rematch with the Hawaiian fighter, Volkanovski said, “I’m game to fight whoever. At the same time, fighting at home would be very good.”
“If he deserves that rematch then I’m going to do it. I said I’ll be a great champion.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Alexander Volkanovski)