Latest news with #AlexVolkanovski
News.com.au
27-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
UFC 317: Ilia Topuria says he'll ‘never' fight Alex Volkanovski again
Ilia Topuria has emphatically shut the door on a potential rematch with Alex Volkanovski, suggesting the Aussie's dreams of becoming a multi-division champ are over. Volkanovski lost his featherweight belt to Topuria in February last year, with a knockout punch leaving the Aussie's career on the ropes following another KO loss to Islam Makhachev. Topuria (16-0) defended his featherweight title against Max Holloway before vacating the title to move up to lightweight. He is aiming to become a two-division champion when he takes on Charles Oliveira in a blockbuster main event this weekend at UFC 317 in Las Vegas. 'It's another dream come true, you know, Topuria told 'I always had the dream to become a world champion, but now I have the opportunity to become two-weight world champion. And the first one to be undefeated. 'So I felt very excited and very grateful for having this opportunity and of course it means a lot for me and for my family.' Australia's Volkanovski, 36, is in the twilight of his career but showed he is still a class fighter, defeating Diego Lopes to reclaim his featherweight title. But Volk's dreams of becoming lightweight champion appear over, with the Aussie set to finish his UFC career with a couple of featherweight title defences. Topuria shook his head when asked if he would fight Volkanovski again in a rematch. 'Never (again), all with Volk is done,' he said. 'First of all, because I'm not planning to go back to the featherweight division again. 'And the second thing is that I don't think that they (the UFC) are gonna allow him to move up to the lightweight division. 'OK if he does it, I don't think that he deserves the title shot directly.' Volkanovski has previously told he may only have a handful of fights left before he retires, but his next featherweight opponent is unclear — Lopes, Yair Rodriguez or undefeated Russian Movsar Evloev are potential options. With Jon Jones retired and Alex Pereira's next fight up in the air, the next great UFC blockbuster could be a bout between Topuria and Makhachev at lightweight. Makhachev has signalled his intention to move up to welterweight to fight Jack Della Maddalena for the belt after the Perth product became Australia's third UFC champion earlier this year. 'I don't know what's going to happen after this fight, to be honest,' Topuria said when asked about a potential fight with Makhachev. 'I'm willing is to stay active. So whatever the UFC wants me to do, if they want me to move up to welterweight division to face Islam, I will be OK. 'If they want to keep defending the belt of lightweight division, I will be OK also. I'm here to fight and to entertain people. 'Of course, if he (Makhachev) wants to come back (to lightweight) or the UFC wants me to move up to the welterweight division, I always have that door open, you know what I mean? 'I always wanted to fight him. Since the first day I heard his name and I decided to move up. I was like I want to face this guy. 'He decided to move up, I don't know for what reasons, but if in the future he wants to fight, I will be there.' As for this weekend against Oliveira, Topuria said: 'I see myself knocking him out in the first round. Maybe it's going to be right hand straight to his face.' 'For the first time, I could say that I really enjoyed the whole process of the training camp. I enjoyed everything. That extra pounds make a huge difference in my life. 'So, I'm very happy and very excited to show to everyone like that I really belong to this weight class. They think that I'm small, they're gonna realise on that actually I'm huge.' Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira — lightweight title bout Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Kara-France — flyweight title bout Brandon Royval vs Joshua Van — flyweight bout Beniel Dariush vs Renato Moicano — lightweight bout
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The incredible donation to Dragons' NRLW squad from UFC star Alex Volkanovski - 'something that I wanted to do'
Aussie UFC legend Alex Volkanovski has warmed the hearts of many footy fans after generously donating $10,000 towards St George Illawarra's NRLW program. Volkanovski, 36, has also pledged to assist the club's wrestling program under new women's coach Nathan Cross. 'It's just something that I wanted to do. The sport is growing so much in this region,' Volkanovski told News Corp. 'If you can invest in the sport's growth, and create more opportunities, that's how it's going to get better. 'If there's a bit of money I can donate to help them be professional athletes, and maybe give those opportunities – whether it's strength and conditioning, physios, they need to help that process.' Volkanovski - a father of three girls - pointed to the success of the Matildas as proof women's sport can thrive in Australia if appropriate funding follows. His five-figure sum will go towards better equipment, camps, facilities, diet and nutrition support. Born in Wollongong on the NSW south coast, 'Volk' was never going to pass on his hard earned to anyone else but the Red V. Having himself waited years for mixed martial arts to be properly resourced, he understands the struggles semi-professional athletes face. 'I know that when I was able to go professional and fulltime, I (soon) went to a new level,' he said. 'I'm not expecting that money will be able to fix everything, but if we can point it in the right direction, we can watch the sport grow.' Volkanovski first entered the Octagon as a professional in 2016, and almost a decade later is one of the most respected figures in the sport globally. Boasting a career record of 27-4, with 13 wins via knockout, 'The Great' is a two-time UFC World Featherweight Champion. Previously, Volkanovski was a standout for Warilla Gorillas in the Group 7 Rugby League competition. In 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Mick Cronin Medal after being judged the league's best player.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sadio Mane scores four in Al Nassr's 9-0 thrashing
Alex Volkanovski: 'I'm most proud of coming back from 2 knockout losses' Alexander Volkanovski returns as two-time UFC featherweight champion after his win over Diego Lopes to break down what it meant to regain the belt, getting back on track after back-to-back knockout losses, a potential fight with Movsar Evloev, the state of his division, his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, wanting the Ilia rematch, Belal Muhammad vs. fellow Aussie Jack Della Maddalena, and more. 3:23 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Aussie Jack Della Maddalena shocks world with UFC title triumph in welterweight showdown against Belal Muhammad
Australian rising star Jack Della Maddalena has shocked the world by beating Belal Muhammad for the welterweight championship at UFC 315 card in Canada. Della Maddalena, who is undefeated in the UFC, won the title bout by decision after five grueling rounds. The fight was Della Maddalena's first outing since breaking his left forearm in a TKO win over Gilbert Burns in March last year. Infection after infection meant Della Maddalena required four different bouts of surgery, putting him out of action for 14 months. For the first time in history, Australia now has two UFC champions at the same time - with Alex Volkanovski winning the featherweight crown last month.
News.com.au
11-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
UFC 315 live updates as Jack Della Maddalena fights for title
Australian Jack Della Maddalena is finally getting his shot for a word title as the headline act of a blockbuster UFC 315 card in Canada. Belal Muhammad's welterweight crown will be there for the taking when they enter the Octagon in Montreal, Canada. UFC 315: Muhammad vs Della Maddalena | SUN 11 MAY 12PM AEST | Australia's Jack Della Maddalena challenges Belal Muhammad for the Welterweight Championship | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Della Maddalena has never bee defeated in the UFC with his only loss coming in 2016. Should he upset Muhammad, it will be the first time in history that two Australians have held UFC titles simultaneously — after Aussie legend Alex Volkanovski won his featherweight showdown with Diego Lopez last month. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko returns for a huge title fight against Manon Fiorot. There was huge drama in the early undercard fights with four fights being stopped via TKO or KO.
