TLDR
- Alexander Volkanovski said he’s open to fighting Arman Tsarukyan if he moves to featherweight
- Volkanovski defends his title against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 this weekend
- The champion expressed confidence in his takedown defense against Tsarukyan’s wrestling
- Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are also potential future title challengers
- Tsarukyan has been waiting for a lightweight title shot, sparking talk of a drop to 145 pounds
Sources: Bloody Elbow | BJ Penn | Sherdog
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has responded to recent speculation that lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan could drop to 145 pounds for a title shot. The champion made it clear he’s ready for the challenge.
Volkanovski addressed the potential matchup during UFC 325 media day this week. “I love challenges,” Volkanovski told reporters. “He would obviously be a tough challenge. If he could get down there, that would be definitely a tough challenge.”
The 37-year-old champion is set to defend his featherweight title against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 this weekend. Volkanovski previously defeated Lopes to win the championship last year.
Tsarukyan has been waiting for an opportunity at lightweight, which sparked discussions about a potential move down to featherweight. The lightweight contender is known for his strong wrestling skills, which would present a unique test for Volkanovski.
Confidence in Takedown Defense
Volkanovski expressed confidence in his ability to handle Tsarukyan’s wrestling-heavy style. “I feel like my takedown defense is pretty solid, so that’ll definitely be a fun one,” the champion said.
The featherweight king explained that facing elite wrestlers would benefit his legacy. “Even the wrestling side of things, I would love that,” Volkanovski stated. “Because for the legacy, you can talk about legacy.”
Volkanovski isn’t just focused on Tsarukyan, though. He mentioned other top contenders who could be next in line for title shots.
Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are both waiting for their chances at the featherweight championship. Both fighters were reportedly surprised they didn’t receive the call for UFC 325.
Champion Focused on Lopes First
Despite discussing future opponents, Volkanovski made it clear his attention is on the immediate task. “Obviously, I’ve got a job to do this weekend,” he said.
The champion acknowledged that Lopes could have surprises prepared for their rematch. While Volkanovski is considered the favorite, he’s not taking his opponent lightly.
Regarding his future beyond UFC 325, Volkanovski kept his options open. “Whatever comes my way, I’ll be happy,” the champion told reporters.
He mentioned Evloev’s undefeated record as another appealing challenge. “You got guys like Movsar, undefeated – so, later,” Volkanovski said.
Volkanovski also praised Murphy’s credentials. The champion described both Murphy and Evloev as having “incredible records.”
For Tsarukyan to get the fight, he would need to successfully cut down to 145 pounds. The lightweight contender has competed at 155 pounds throughout his UFC career.
Volkanovski remains open to any challenge in the featherweight division. He specifically called out the wrestling abilities of potential opponents as motivating factors for accepting tough matchups.
The champion’s willingness to face elite wrestlers like Tsarukyan and Evloev demonstrates his confidence heading into UFC 325. His comments suggest he plans to continue competing at featherweight regardless of this weekend’s outcome.
