Full Contact Fighter Database

Home

>

News

>

Article

Media

Sunday, Feb 26, 2023

Dana White: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez Next, Not Rematch With Islam Makhachev, “Makes Sense”

Makhachev (left) and Volkanovski (right)(image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following their memorable clash at UFC 284, there’s been no shortage of talk about a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. But, it seems clear that UFC President Dana White isn’t thinking about having the champs fight again, next.

Volkanovski moved up to lightweight to challenge Makhachev on February 12th, and lost the thrilling, competitive fight via unanimous decision. That same night, Yair Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett in the second round to win the interim featherweight title.

While there have been extensive calls for an immediate rematch, following UFC Vegas 70, White reported he thinks Rodriguez should battle Volkanovski next (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“The only thing that could possibly be better than that is the guy who’s fighting for the interim title, comes out looking incredible, too. So now you have Yair vs. Volkanovski. We’ll see what happens with Islam and who he ends up fighting next. You have to do Yair. You have to do that fight. He came out looking like an absolute stud that night. And then you have the rematch after they both fight again. It could not have a better result.”

“To me, the fight that makes sense is you make Yair vs. Vokanovski,” White said. “Islam vs. somebody whenever that happens, and then you do the rematch.”

Former lightweight champ and #1 contender Charles Oliveira, is scheduled to fight #4 ranked contender Beneil Dariush on May 6th.

posted by FCF Staff @ 11:11 am
Have a comment about this story? Please share with us by filling out the fields below.

Comments are closed.