Alexander Volkanovski lost the pound-for-pound battle – so why is he still No 1?

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ufc/arnold-allen-max-holloway-ufc-fight-night-b2281082.html

Alexander Volkanovski solidified his grip on the featherweight title at UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, while Alexandre Pantoja continued to mystify Brandon Moreno.

Source: https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/one-belt-retained-another-changes-hands-at-ufc-290-2835686/

Alexander Volkanovski — who lost the main card fight via decision — went the five-round distance against Russian lightweight Islam Makhachev.

Source: https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ufc/ufc-284-logan-paul-tony-galati-nic-naitanui-join-for-the-ultimate-crossover-at-perths-rac-arena--c-9735286

Especially considering he’ll have to move up a weight class to face off against Alexander Volkanovski or Yair Rodriguez.

Source: https://brobible.com/sports/article/ufc-star-aljamain-sterling-wants-double-champ-status/

Featherweight king Volkanovski was a whopping 181lbs when he got the call to fill in for the injured Oliveira.

Source: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/11392228/ufc-294-makhachev-volkanovski-live-stream-results-tv-channel-usman-chimaev/

He also has been in the conversation for top current pound-for-pound fighter, and Volkanovski is second in the UFC’s official rankings to Jon Jones.

Source: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/volkanovski-trumps-rodriguez-to-regain-ufc-featherweight-crown-20230709-p5dmwa.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

I'm pretty close to knocking off a few of those but I've got a lot of goals ahead, but the sky's the limit," Volkanovski said.

Source: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8263457/watch-wollongong-fans-celebrate-volkanovskis-latest-ufc-win/?src=rss

In the bout against Rodriguez, Volkanovski landed 66 significant strikes compared to Rodriguez’s 40, with a substantial 37-2 advantage in ground strikes, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Source: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/sports/volkanovski-tko-victory-over-rodriguez-at-ufc-290/

It was a highly disputed call, with many believing Volkanovski had in fact won the bout.

Source: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8393815/why-alex-volkanovski-cant-possibly-get-it-done-and-why-he-will/?src=rss

Most fighters will tell you they don't even think about losing in the build-up to a fight, but UFC featherweight king Alex Volkanovski isn't most fighters.

Source: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8080472/told-you-so-cocky-makhachev-in-for-a-rude-shock-says-volkanovski/?src=rss

Remarkably, in the fifth frame, Volkanovski almost took down the grappling specialist, before flooring Makhachev one last time with a stiff punch that set up an enthralling final minute.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ufc/ufc-284-results-volkanovski-makhachev-yair-rodriguez-b2280573.html

Rodriguez tries to roll but Volkanovski is all over him and keeps landing punches as the round ends.

Source: https://411mania.com/mma/ufc-290-report-volkanovski-stops-rodriguez-pantoja-claims-gold-7-08-23/

The hand fighting from Volkanovski is impressive but he’s kind of stuck in the position.

Source: https://411mania.com/mma/ufc-284-report-makhachev-retains-over-volkanovski/

The stage is set for UFC 290, so take advantage of our exclusive FanDuel UFC 290 promo to score up to $200 in bonus bets before Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez.

Source: https://milehighsports.com/fanduel-ufc-290-promo-activates-10x-your-first-bet-bonus/

The UFC has granted Volkanovski his wish to keep busy by lining up a featherweight battle with Ilia Topuria next January.

Source: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8395208/emotional-volkanovski-opens-up-on-mental-health-struggles-after-makhachev-loss/?src=rss

The unexpected setback has opened the door for featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who will step in to fight lightweight champ Islam Makhachev on just 11 days’ notice.

Source: https://www.baltimoregaylife.com/baltimore-lgbtq-community-volkanovski-replaces-oliveira-set-to-challenge-makhachev-at-ufc-294-espn/

Volkanovski dropped Makhachev in the fifth round and finished the bout on top, raining blows on the lightweight champion.

Source: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8082929/surprised-i-didnt-get-my-hand-raised-volkanovski-calls-for-rematch/?src=rss

Volkanovski has just slowed everything Rodriguez does down and this a very standard Volkanovski style fight right now.

Source: https://411mania.com/mma/ufc-290-report-volkanovski-stops-rodriguez-pantoja-claims-gold-7-08-23/

Volkanovski has just slowed everything Rodriguez does down and this a very standard Volkanovski style fight right now.

Source: https://411mania.com/mma/ufc-290-report-volkanovski-stops-rodriguez-pantoja-claims-gold-7-08-23/

Volkanovski is the reigning champion here, and he’s going for his fifth title defense while further proving himself the best in the sport and maybe the best in the history of the division.

Source: https://411mania.com/mma/ufc-290-report-volkanovski-stops-rodriguez-pantoja-claims-gold-7-08-23/