Alexander Volkanovski provides update on targeted UFC return as he personally calls for contender

Alexander Volkanovski has always attempted to stay active whenever he has been the UFC champion.

This past January, Alexander Volkanovski made the first defense of his second featherweight title reign when he once again dominated Diego Lopes in a questionable rematch.

Fans were unhappy with the UFC for making the fight as the majority of the fanbase believed that Lopes was undeserving of an almost immediate rematch considering their first fight last April.

And after getting through the fight unscathed, Alexander ‘The Great’ has his eyes set on his next defense and he has provided a date.

Volkanovski targeting the same card as Islam Makhachev

Initially, the Australian champion wanted to fight Movsar Evloev in his first title defense, but the promotion continued to snub the Russian contender.

Despite that, Evloev made himself almost impossible to look past when he took on Lerone Murphy this past March, handing the Brit the first loss of his career.

But even after Evloev’s impressive win, the UFC continued to hint at potential talks with Jean Silva for the next title shot, which didn’t sit very well with Volkanovski who aired his frustrations.

However, the 37-year-old champion revealed this past Friday at the UFC Perth ceremonial weigh-ins that he is targeting a return to the cage in either August or September, which is the same time Islam Makhachev is reportedly set to return to action.

“I don’t know (whether it will be Movsar), nothing is locked in, right. But I’ve told them that we’re ready and they seem to be ready, maybe August, September, around those sorts of times but nothing is locked in.

“That’s what we’re looking for and hopefully soon something is locked in.”

Fortunately for Evloev, though, according to reports, the UFC is favouring him to fight for the title next over Silva, and talks somewhat began almost immediately after his UFC London win.

Just a week ago, Aljamain Sterling once again put himself into the title conversation with a dominant win over Youssef Zalal, however, the former bantamweight champion is likely one more win away from a title shot.

That didn’t stop him from sending Volkanovski a warning about his grappling threat, though, as he continues to campaign for the shot.