Volkanovski will put his featherweight title on the line against Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325 on January 31. The matchmaking isn’t popular among fans, as Volkanovski and Lopes already fought back in April and it wasn’t exactly a nail-biter.
Many also believe that Evloev is the best choice for a 145-pound title, but Volkanovski told Sports news Australia that he had the feeling that the match would not take place afterwards (via MMA Junkie).
“I called up Movsar right after the fight,” Volkanovski said. “I knew he was going to fight (Pico), but then he backed out. I knew he was supposed to maybe delay it, and then he didn’t take it, and I thought, ‘There goes your chance.’ So it didn’t take me long to know that wasn’t going to happen. I feel for him in the sense that I know he absolutely deserved it. That’s why I drafted him, but I completely understand how this game works.
“You can’t be that guy. You have to be the guy who’s willing to fight anyone, anywhere, raise your hand. Lerone Murphy did that, fought a guy in Pico on short notice and got a huge finish, so I thought it was going to be him in December, that’s when I knew the UFC was waiting for Jean Silva and Diego. I thought, ‘Oh, maybe it’s going to be one of these guys, so let’s see what happens.'”
Lopes will be a live underdog for the rematch against Volkanovski given his dangerous passing skills. Still, a win over Jean Silva didn’t exactly give fans reason to believe that UFC 325 will go much differently. However, in the world of MMA, nothing can ever truly be ruled out.
#UFC #325s #Alexander #Volkanovski #reveals #knew #Movsar #Evloev #wasnt #title #shot #BJPenn.com