‘I can keep two divisions busy’

ABU DHABI – Alexander Volkanovski has another shot at his dream of becoming a two-division UFC champion.

The current UFC featherweight titleholder is moving up to 155 pounds for a challenge against champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 294 at Etihad Arena. Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) accepted the fight on short notice, stepping in for an injured Charles Oliveira.

Volkanovski not only aims to become a UFC champ-champ, but he also wants to be a defending double champion, a feat yet to be accomplished in the men’s division of the UFC.

“That’s why I wanted to make a point of this whole, I can keep two divisions busy,” expressed Volkanovski during Wednesday’s media day for UFC 294. “That was a goal of mine. I’ve been saying it for a while. I want to do that. I understand what they want to do. They’re like, ‘Come on, we don’t want to hold two divisions.’ But I think I’ve proven that I wouldn’t.”

Prior to accepting the short-notice bout against Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) at UFC 294, Volkanovski was rumored to fight unbeaten contender Ilia Topuria in January.

The 35-year-old fighter is confident that he can win the UFC lightweight belt on Saturday and then quickly turn around to face Topuria three months later.

“Obviously, I want to do January,” said Volkanovski. “I want to come out here, be a double champ, and keep two divisions busy. I don’t know when Gaethje is looking to get back in there, but there are obviously a lot of exciting fights at lightweight. We’ll see what happens, but I do want to keep two divisions busy.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie