Alex Volkanovski wants in on the recent surge of interim UFC titles over the years. Two interim titles will be implemented in the upcoming UFC 236 pay-per-view (PPV) event this month. One of them involving featherweight champion Max Holloway, who is moving up to lightweight to face Dustin Poirier for the interim 155-pound strap.
If Holloway comes out on top against Poirier, and decides to delay a featherweight return and face Khabib Nurmagomedov in a unification bout next, Volkanovski wants an interim title fight (via MMA Junkie):
“We know how this game works now. How many interim titles are there? I’m not throwing shade on the guys organizing that, but it’s happening a lot, and I’m expecting it to happen to me,” Volkanovski said.
“If Holloway wins, and he wants to fight Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and wait around, give me the interim. You’re throwing them around – give me one. But I’m not going to wait around. I’m almost certain I get the next shot after this fight. I beat Aldo in his hometown, nobody’s got a better claim.”
Before making title plans, however, Volkanovski will face, arguably, the greatest 145-pound fighter of all time next. He is lined up to face Jose Aldo at UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in May. However, after a recent hospitalization, it remains to be seen if Aldo remains on the card.
What do you think about Volkanovski wanting an interim title shot?
