A champion's work is never done, but Alexander Volkanovski is relishing being a man in demand at the top of the UFC featherweight division.
Volkanovski takes on interim champion Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC 290, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. But, despite the challenge that stands in front of him, much of his media day saw him answering questions about other potential matchups, with the likes of bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and rising featherweight contender Ilia Topuria all mentioned during an all-encompassing session at the UFC Apex.
One bout Volkanovski clearly wants is the lightweight title rematch with Makhachev. The Aussie lost on the scorecards, despite being in the ascendency as the fight reached the final horn. Volkanovski said he knews he has what it takes to dethrone the Russian, and is keen to run it back in a rematch.
"I'm gonna get that rematch, don't worry," he said.
"I'm gonna do my business this weekend, and I'll get that rematch and then we're just going to add to the story.
"It was a close one. Do we think we did enough? Yeah. Was it a robbery? No, it was a very, very close fight. I know that. But I showed you guys and I showed everyone that I definitely wasn't gonna get ragdolled like everyone thought. I ended up on top and really put it on him. But, the next one, I'll take that win and it's just gonna add to the story."
Another possible matchup could see him face the man who currently holds the UFC bantamweight title. Aljamain Sterling is all set to put his title on the line against Sean O'Malley at UFC 292 on August 19 in a bout "Funkmaster" says will be his last at 135 pounds. And, with Sterling looking set to move up to featherweight, Volkanovski said he'd be happy to welcome the American to the upper echelon of the 145-pound division.
"If he goes down there and takes out Sean, I think he’s definitely paid his dues," Volkanovski stated.
"How many title defenses would that be? Three or four? There you go. I think so. He’s a big dude. But yeah, he’s got a tough fight ahead of him. But that’s another possible fight. There’s plenty of options."
Another option could be Ilia Topuria, who moved into the title conversation with an impressive victory over former interim title challenger Josh Emmett. But, despite Topuria's universally-acclaimed performance, Volkanovski said he wasn't quite as high on the Spanish star's display as most of the media.
"I wasn't impressed – you were!" he grinned.
"But, I'm glad that everyone's impressed, because that'll just hype up a future fight. But I've got more of a threat in front of me this weekend, so I'm going to pay attention to that.
"If Ilia wants that smoke, it's going to be good, because I know he will talk that trash, which is fun. And punching people in the face that talk trash is so much better."
Those options only become a reality for Volkanovski if he's successful in his upcoming title defense against interim champion Rodriguez this weekend.
With the champion set to face a flashy striker in Saturday night's main event, Volkanovski playfully hinted that he might showcase some of his striking skills in the matchup.
"I do beat a lot of people at their own game, so you never know," he grinned.
"Taekwondo Volk is coming for f*****g everyone!"
Rodriguez's spectacular striking style offers a range of threats from angles rarely seen from fighters at this level, but Volkanovski said he's ready for whatever the Mexican brings.
"(I'm ready for) Everything, because everything's coming from everywhere," he said.
"But again, we all know that I make people fight my fight. There are things, and everyone looks a certain way until I'm in front of them. So it's no surprise that my opponents' volume goes down and a lot of their strong assets are compromised. I'm usually able to nullify a lot of people's strengths. So I look forward to doing that again, Taekwondo Volk. He's coming!"
