Alexander Volkanovski says he expects his next featherweight title defense to be announced after UFC Freedom 250 clears the schedule, with Movsar Evloev as his preferred opponent and a September date the current target.
Volkanovski spoke to MMA Junkie in Washington on Tuesday while attending to support his teammate Mauricio Ruffy.
“Obviously I want something announced — not even announced, I want it locked in, as well. But you’ve got to understand they have a schedule they need to keep with a lot of champions, a lot of other people fighting, a lot of bigger events, with this one and obviously Conor fighting. Maybe once they get this out of the way they can start putting energy everywhere else. I was obviously looking for anywhere from August to September. September is being brought up a lot with everyone.”
Volkanovski acknowledged the possibility of fighting after his 38th birthday on September 29 and said he would not mind that outcome.
“Before my birthday would’ve been great, but wouldn’t it be pretty cool to fight at 38, as well? To defend the belt at 38. So maybe we wait until after that just so it sounds better.”
On his opponent, Volkanovski pointed to Evloev, who defeated Lerone Murphy by majority decision in March to remain unbeaten.
“Movsar is the most deserving No. 1 contender. He’s been No. 1 contender for a while, and everyone knows me as champion. I want to fight the No. 1 guy. I want to fight the guy who deserves it, and it is Movsar. That’s what I’m pushing for, and I’m pretty sure that’s what the UFC wants anyway, so I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”