Morning Report: Alexander Volkanovski will ‘let the head rest,’ promises next fight will be for title

Alexander Volkanovski received’t rush into his subsequent struggle.

Mind well being has been the most important space of concern for the now-former UFC featherweight champion since his robust first-round knockout loss to light-weight champion Islam Mahachev on brief discover. The top kick heard at UFC 294 in October was the primary end defeat of “The Nice” within the promotion and solely his second (third general, 26-4), which got here after his preliminary unanimous determination shortcoming within the pair’s first encounter in February 2023.

Sadly for Australia’s all-time nice, one other — and arguably extra — devastating knockout got here in his rebound try when he returned to featherweight with hopes of a sixth profitable title protection. Ilia Topuria cracked Volkanovski with a clear proper hand in opposition to the cage in spherical two of their UFC 298 headliner bout earlier this month to win the title. Due to Volkanovski’s standing as a long-reigning and achieved champion, an prompt rematch is a robust and justifiable risk. Nonetheless, he desires to watch out along with his well being and plans to return extra appropriately in comparison with his current two-fight stretch.

“I’m gonna let the pinnacle relaxation so the coaching’s gonna be intelligent, particularly for a few months,” Volkanovski mentioned on his YouTube channel. “It’s good. That’s what I’ve been in a position to do that week. I’ve felt nice.

“Relying on what Ilia does, if he was to need to be very energetic and struggle quickly, which might imply my rematch could be rushed, alright, I’m blissful to be like, ‘In the event you’re gonna be that energetic, I’m gonna have to attend.’ I do know my subsequent struggle is unquestionably gonna be for the title and the rematch but when he was to go some place else as a result of he’d need to be energetic, which I might be greater than okay with.

“Clearly, I’m not gonna try this due to my head, you need to take that severe, however my subsequent struggle will certainly 100% be the rematch,” he concluded.

Ought to Topuria be an energetic champion, Volkanovski preemptively applauds him after believing he and former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya “set a great customary” for championship exercise. Sadly for followers, Topuria has indicated since he claimed gold that an October or November return could possibly be within the playing cards. That’s not essentially a loopy guesstimate, however it could forestall a three-fight 12 months that we’ve beforehand seen from the Metropolis Kickboxing merchandise.

Finally, the 35-year-old Volkanovski admits to creating errors within the Topuria matchup, noting how he felt that he was uncharacteristically combating to not get caught. With out an excessive amount of element or giveaway, he sees issues to work on and ensures a change on collision No. 2 with “El Matador.”

“Mark my phrases, I get that belt again,” Volkanovski mentioned. “I’m gonna do the whole lot in my energy. I’m gonna have some relaxation, however after I do determine to get again in there or after we do have a date, I’m gonna do the whole lot in my energy to ensure I get that belt again right here to me and my household.

“I’ve at all times executed it for my household, supporters, Australia and whatnot. It ain’t simply gonna be about that. I’m doing that for me. I don’t suppose I’ve ever actually executed it for myself.”

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Yeehaw.

Time flies if you’re kicking ass.

Onward.

Dwelling it up.

I anticipated Hendricks.

Delay.

Freebies.

Insert Joker quote.

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Good method by Volk. Goes with out saying.

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