Alexander Volkanovski has always taken on opponents of all shapes and sizes, but a matchup with Arman Tsarukyan might take the cake.
At the moment, both Volkanovski and Tsarukyan are on different paths, with Volkanovski set for the first defense in his second reign as featherweight champion in a rematch against Diego Lopes this Saturday at UFC 325, and Tsarukyan currently waiting for his next octagon assignment (he is scheduled to wrestle for RAF when he takes on Georgio Poullas on Feb. 28).
However, Tsarukyan recently mentioned on The Ariel Helwani Show he would consider a drop down to 145 pounds for a shot at Volkanovski’s belt, and Volkanovski responded to the comment at UFC 325 media day on Wednesday.
“I love challenges,” Volkanovski said. “He would obviously be a tough challenge if he could get down there, that would definitely be a tough challenge. Same with Movsar [Evloev]. Even given the wrestling side of things, I would love that because for the legacy, you’re going to talk about legacy, you’ve got guys like Movsar, undefeated. So later—obviously, I’ve got a job to do this weekend—but whatever comes my way, I’ll be happy.
“Movsar, Lerone [Murphy], incredible records, or even Arman if he was to come down, that’s a challenge. So that’ll be definitely something. I feel like my takedown defense is pretty solid, so that will definitely be a fun one.”
Should Volkanovski defeat Lopes again, he has no shortage of challengers, with Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy both bringing unblemished UFC records to the front of the contender line.
Asked who among these suggested names would be the toughest challenge, Volkanovski stuck his division, but acknowledged Tsarukyan as an amusing option.
“Yeah, probably your Armans and your Movsars,” Volkanovski said. [Tsarukyan] said he’s going to axe kick, obviously he’s going to want to wrestle, but again, I like the guy. He’s hilarious.
“That PR run he went on was incredible. He’s another guy I’d like to do a Cooking with Volk with—I have actually, I have done one with him—but yeah, if we face him, I know my takedown defense is solid and if they forget that, I’ll remind them.“
One other name in the mix is knockout artist Jean Silva, who returned to the win column this past Saturday with a unanimous decision win over veteran contender Arnold Allen. Silva has won six of his seven UFC fights, five by knockout or submission, and he brings a larger-than-life persona that could win over the matchmakers when it comes time to book the next featherweight title challenger.
Volkanovski was impressed by Silva’s win, but isn’t confident it was enough to vault him past Evloev and Murphy.
“I mean I thought that was going to be a real challenge for him and he passed it,” Volkanovski said. “Looked good in the later rounds as well, so that’s what you want to see from a prospect. A guy that’s going to be pretty calculated in Arnold and then even Arnold’s quite fit as well, he’s got the cardio, but Silva showing that he’s got the cardio to get through there and get the win against someone like that was very promising.
“Has he earned a title shot just yet? I don’t think so, but like I said, it’s pretty obvious that you’re going to get Movsar or Lerone Murphy fighting, I think, and that obviously makes the most sense especially with their records and the résumé they have. Like, legacy-wise, that looks great for me.”
Subscribe to my channel
