Alexander Volkanovski is serious about challenging for the lightweight title, and his coach believes that when he does, Charles Oliveira presents the most difficult test for the featherweight champion.
“Definitely Oliveira’s the more difficult match-up in my opinion,” Volkanovski’s coach Eugene Bareman told Submission Radio. It all depends. Oliveira has a more well-rounded skillset, so there’s more to deal with. Islam is a good example of stand-up. But that all depends on where you look. But yeah, I just think Oliveira would be a more well-rounded skillset for Volk to deal with. Whereas Islam, perhaps we could narrow a couple of things down and concentrate on those few things. This is not an easy task, as Islam, just like Khabib, excels in many aspects of the sport. He may only do one or two aspects of the sport really, really well, but he does them at the highest level. So, that’s the difficulty.”
Volkanovski recently defended his featherweight title against the Korean Zombie at UFC 273, winning by fourth-round TKO. It was Volkanovski’s third title defense and in the aftermath, “The Great” began angling for an opportunity to move up the 155 pounds and challenge for the belt there. A former rugby player, Volkanovski has competed as high as welterweight previously, and so despite the perceived size disadvantage he would have moving up to lightweight, Bareman says that Volkanovski would have no issues with the jump up.
” Every single person feels something. It doesn’t really matter what age you are or how much experience you have. “It’s a different feeling from anything that I’ve ever felt from someone of that stature. And I think the lightweight guys still feel that. Look, I got middleweights and light heavyweights that feel it. They’re like, ‘f***** hell’. Alex grabs their hands and they are shocked. These are guys who rank two to three levels above him. Lightweight’s only one division above him. So, I think you’d see the same Alex, just that strength and that raw physicalness that he brings.”
But, before Volkanovski can think about going up to featherweight, he must first settle the unfinished business at featherweight. The champion is set to face Max Holloway for a third time at UFC 276. Volkanovski is already a winner over Holloway. However, Bareman said that the fight will be a big statement for him and his student. Perhaps it will lead to a bout that could launch them into the lightweight title fight.
“Personallly, I do not believe that fighting is necessary, Bareman stated. But, as I have said before, this is just my opinion. You beat someone twice. But like, I’m not the person that pushes the buttons behind the scenes, and the fans want to see another fight, Max has done really well and showed why he’s a champion. Max has two wins that were impressive against two top-class competitors. So has Alex. Even though the fight doesn’t have to be fought again because we won two times, it’s not impossible for me to support it. It’s another good challenge, and if it’s what the people want to see, let’s give it to them.
“We just need to put a dominant stamp on this fight and kind of, I guess, be done with it, this chapter of Alex’s career.”
UFC 276 takes place on July 2 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
TOP STORIES
Beef. Jorge Masvidal claims Conor McGregor knows he’s a f***ing jerk.
Response. Paddy Pimblett replies to T.J. Dillashaw’s comment about his weight.
Hanging around. Alistair Overeem ‘absolutely not’ done with MMA, could potentially be interested in Fedor Emelianenko for final fight.
Out. Junior dos Santos to have shoulder surgery, targets early 2023 return to fighting.
Rankings. Holly Holm takes the top spot in the Bantamweight Top Three according to the latest edition of MMA Fighting Global Rankings.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC Vegas 56 Fighters You Should Know.
Israel Adesanya’s fight camp.
MixedMollyWhoppery on Charles Oliveira.
Dan Hooker gives an update.
LISTEN UP
No Bets. Breaking down the best bets available for UFC Vegas 56.
Rankings Show. Debating who deserves the title of top strawweight in the world.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Weird.
Step into my office and Shhhhhh… pic.twitter.com/ufOe0RgM18
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) June 2, 2022
Exclusive team.
Team yacht gym fight club
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 1, 2022
Friendship.
This man @funkmasterMMA is gold!
I learn from him every day. I am grateful to call him brother ! aljo aris ok`ro kac`i. misgan bevri rame viscavle da mas ch`ems carmatebashi didi cvlili miuz’g’vis… https://t.co/nY2cKnTOEC— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) June 1, 2022
Man has been added to your site.
I’ve arrived in Las Vegas. I’m ready for tree choppin’! #UFCVegas56 pic.twitter.com/YCnM8ZVOA3
— Jairzinho ‘BIGI BOY’ Rozenstruik (@JairRozenstruik) June 1, 2022
Ryan Hall injured.
Hope.
Another pull out. Still staying sharp for June 25th and or Long Island July 16 if a slot opens up. BOOM
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 2, 2022
Math.
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 2, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kayla Harrison (13-0) vs. Julia Budd (16-4); PFL 6, July 1.
Rory MacDonald (23-8-1) vs. Sadibou Sy (10-6-2); PFL 6, July 1.
Ray Cooper III (24-8-1) vs. Brett Cooper (28-16); PFL 6, July 1.
Magomed Magomedkerimov (29-6) vs. Joao Zeferino (26-10); PFL 6, July 1.
J. Al-Silawi (18-3) vs. Magomed Umalatov (11-0); PFL 6, July 1.
Larissa Pacheco (16-4) vs. Genah Fabian (5-2); PFL 6, July 1.
Gleison Tibau (36-16) vs. Nikolay Aleksakhin (26-7); PFL 6, July 1.
Marina Mokhnatkina (6-3) vs. Abby Montes (3-1); PFL 6, July 1.
Martina Jindrova (5-2) vs. Zamzagul Fayzallanova (7-2); PFL 6, July 1.
Olena Kolesnyk (6-4) vs. Vanessa Melo (11-9); PFL 6, July 1.
Zarah Fairn (6-4) vs. Ailin Perez (7-1); UFC Paris, Sept. 3.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thank you for reading! See y’all tomorrow.
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
