Dana White calls Alexander Volkanovski an Australian fighting ‘gangster’ who must fight Kostya Ts if he becomes UFC ‘champion’ this Sunday Kostya Tszyu and Jeff Fenech are tied among others.
Speaking on the eve of Volkanovski’s UFC 294 bombshell, the UFC president also said that while he “hates” the idea of his fighter defending two titles at the same time, Volkanovski could Just “savage” enough to achieve this.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski SUN October 22, 5am (AEDT) | Order the main event now on Kayo Sports
Already considered the greatest Australian MMA fighter of all time, Volkanovski will now look to add his name to the list of the nation’s greatest by defeating UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi of boxers – think Fenech, Tszyu, Lionel Rose and Johnny Famechon. .
In addition to moving up a weight class or fighting on 11 days’ notice, Volkanovski faces the Dagestani Monster, whom he defeated back in February.
However, the 35-year-old hopes to defend both belts if Volker wins.
What did white say to which one?
“I hate it,” he said of the idea in general.
“And I’m only going to do it with certain people.
“But Volker, he’s one of them.
“He and Israel Adesanya come from the same camp, both are pure gangsters.
“These guys believe they are the best and they want to stay active and fight on short notice… I’m willing to do anything with that type of guy, that mentality.”
“Is this really what we depend on” | 01:07
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When asked what he liked most about Volkanovski making the incredible exception, White continued: “Let me start by talking about why I hate it.
“First of all, we have to get the guys to play three games a year to defend the championship, right?
“So you’re talking about two titles.
“If you’re lucky and you have a barbarian, maybe you can get two out of each belt a year.
“Then the other issue with fighters at this level is, how much money do they make, they don’t have to turn around and keep fighting.
“So you really have to have that special person who you believe can do that.
“But if you meet someone in the sport who you think is good enough, you absolutely go for it aggressively.
“This is special.
“It’s different, not everyone can do it.
“Volkanovski is that guy.”
Why?
“I could give you a hundred reasons why he’s the guy,” White continued.
“But I don’t have to.
“You already know that.
“I’m not here to dance, I’m here to kill” | 00:52
“Look at him, look at his mentality and what he’s willing to do.
“He’s willing to step up and take a fight like this on short notice.
“I also disagree with Islam when he says that Volker has nothing to lose. For Volkanovski, this fight is all about money.
“That’s not true.
“They (Volkanovski’s team) didn’t come back and say ‘give us a bunch of money’.”
Plus, a fighter can fight for both inheritance and cash, right?
“If you’re fighting for a legacy,” the UFC boss responded, “money will happen.”
As a huge boxing fan, White also said that if Volkanovski held two UFC titles at the same time, he would have to be ranked among Tszyu and Fenech.
“One hundred percent,” he said.
“easily.
“With two championships, it’s almost impossible.
“It’s almost impossible to win a championship here.
Volk only cares about “money” | 01:37
“I think Australia is very educated about the game and they know how big a deal it would be if he could do that.”
If Volkanovski defeats Makhachev at UFC 294 this Sunday, one of the biggest names on his roster for the lightweight title will be Irish superstar Conor McGregor.
“The Notorious” has been increasingly negative toward the UFC featherweight champion on social media over the past year, which Volkanovski put down to “jealousy.”
The Windang fighter also anticipates a McGregor superfight in 2024.
But what does White think?
“Well, I don’t know,” I admitted.
“It’s going to depend on when Connor comes back, where he is when he comes back, and all that good stuff.
“People keep asking me about Conor, but it’s been two years and there’s a lot of other things going on, so we’ll see when Conor comes back.”