Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes lightweight is a must if Alexander Volkanovski wants to continue fighting at the highest level.
It's uncertain what the future holds for Volkanovski, who has lost three of four fights since the start of 2023. While the first came in narrow fashion against Islam Makhachev, he's since suffered brutal knockouts at the hands of the Dagestani lightweight king and Ilia Topuria.
The Australian hasn't been in action since being unseated from the featherweight throne by Topuria this past February, but it appears "Alexander the Great" is ready to bring his layoff to a close.
The questions is: featherweight or lightweight?
While Volkanovski has set his sights on regaining the strap at 145 pounds, he's also pondered taking a fun matchup at 155 pounds while "El Matador" and Max Holloway handle business at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi next month.
The Aussie's most recent comments saw him express a willingness to wait for a showdown with the winner of the October 26 main event. Sonnen, however, thinks remaining at featherweight and insisting on a title bout could prove unwise...
Sonnen Advises Volkanovski To Fight Oliveira, Avoid Another Title Fight Next
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen pondered the position that Volkanovski currently finds himself in.
"The American Gangster" acknowledged talk of the Aussie having a third attempt at entering the 155-pound winner's circle against Charles Oliveira, advising him to push for that over potential "gatekeeper" status in the featherweight division should he lose another title fight.
Volk still wants to come back. Where do we want to put him?" Sonnen asked. "If he came in and said, 'I'm a title shot guy, that's it,' I believe they would say, 'Okay.' ... But he doesn't want to fight anyone specific...he just wants the title back. That is a different motivation. I won't question it. I'm speaking for me, as a fan; I would rather a match, a specific match.
You wanna know what I want for Volk? ... I want him at '55. And I don't want to talk about titles right now. I want to see an awesome match. I want to see Volk and Charles Oliveira at 155 pounds," Sonnen continued. "I also think outcome-wise, I think you land in a higher spot whether you beat Charles or you don't beat Charles. You go into a championship (fight) and you get beat, that will never return. That hope and dream is gone forever, forever. ... It's to the point where unless you want to be a gatekeeper of some regard, here are your walking papers. It would be that severe in a title fight. That would not be the case at 155 versus Charles.
Whether or not Volkanovski heeds Sonnen's advice remains to be seen.
But regardless, it's clear that the Australian standout hasn't lost his fire and motivation to have his hand raised inside the Octagon once again.