Alexander Volkanovski is expecting another classic.
Seven months after his thrilling win against Brian Ortega in five rounds, UFC’s featherweight champion was ready to make an announcement about the end of his third title defense. He will be fighting “The Korean Zombie”, Chan Sung Jung, in Saturday’s main event at VyStar Veterans Memorial arena in Jacksonville, Fla .
Volkanovski addressed the Jacksonville crowd on Friday afternoon at the ceremonial weigh-ins, telling them to prepare for war.
“Jacksonville, fire up!” Volkanovski said. “We’re putting it on. “We’re going f ****** battle and you’re going f ****** greatness .”
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Jung gets the long-awaited opportunity to compete for UFC gold. He will be replacing Max Holloway. “The Korean Zombie” lost to Jose Aldo at UFC 163 in August 2013 and battled his way back to a title shot with a 4-2 record that includes wins over former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, Renato Moicano, and Dan Ige.
“I’ve been waiting the last 10 years to fight for another world title, and tomorrow’s the day,” Jung said at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Co-main event bantamweights Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan were also given the microphone at the ceremony and took different approaches to hyping up their rematch. Sterling defeated Yan by disqualification to become bantamweight champion — the first time a UFC title had ever changed hands in that manner — at UFC 259 in March of last year. Once Sterling was shelved while he recovered from neck surgery, Yan went on to defeat Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 to capture an interim belt.
Sterling spoke to the crowd, promising entertainment amid a few boos.
” This is a huge opportunity,” Sterling stated. The fans can expect a fantastic fight. Jacksonville, you are the greatest fans. Tomorrow night, we are expecting a spectacular performance. I can’t to go out there and perform and finally right this wrong, put the boogieman to rest and shut everybody up. Let’s remind the world of the “Funkmaster”, baby.
Yan was speaking before Sterling, and gave a clearer prediction of their rematch.
“Guys! He is doomed!” Yan stated.
Much of the fight week buzz has swirled around the third match of the main card lineup, a key welterweight contest between one-time title challenger Gilbert Burns and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.
Watch their tense faceoff below.
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