Yair Rodriguez is next in line to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. The interim featherweight champion recently revealed that he is not worried about the No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter’s plans as he looks to become an undisputed champion.
Talking to Ariel Helwani in MMA time‘The Panther’ stated:
“At the end of the day, if he decides not to defend the title, that will make me the undisputed champion. Why? Because I’m going to defend the belt against someone else, and what’s going to happen? I’m going to be the undisputed champion. If he decides to come and fight at 145 again, whoever wins that fight is undisputed, so regardless of the situation, it’s one of those situations where you have to fight again.”
Yair Rodriguez added:
“You have to be smart enough to know that I can’t go fight Alexander Volkanovski instead of having to face tough opponents because I felt like I deserved the opportunity, and now I have to face Josh Emmett, who is a beast, and I need to. go through him to get to the title shot. If Alexander Volkanovski decides not to drop down to 145 pounds, then I’ll have to fight again for the undisputed belt.”
Rodriguez was able to defeat Josh Emmett at UFC 284 via second round submission to become the interim featherweight champion. Both fighters will be out for at least six months after the fight due to medical suspensions. However, ‘El Pantera’ has his sights set on becoming undisputed champion upon his return.
Alexander Volkanovski calls for rematch against Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski was defeated by Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision at UFC 284. Despite the loss, the featherweight champion revealed that he would like another chance to pursue double champion status.
After the lightweight champion sent a tweet looking for his next opponent, ‘El Grande’ responded by proposing a rematch, stating:
“Let’s back off and give people what they want! @MAKHACHEVMMA”
While Volkanovski stated that he would defend his featherweight title in his next fight, interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez will be out for at least six months due to a medical suspension. El Pantera’s injury, combined with the closely contested lightweight title fight, could open the door for the featherweight champion to receive a rematch.
Check out Alexander Volkanovski’s tweet below: