Latest news with #AlexanderVolkanovski
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alexander Volkanovski provides update on next UFC fight: 'The rumors are pretty much true'
Alexander Volkanovski provides update on next UFC fight: 'The rumors are pretty much true' UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski expected Movsar Evloev to be his next challenger – but it appears he won't be. Prior to defeating Diego Lopes to claim the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314, Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) said he was willing to make his first title defense against Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in September. However, the promotion opted to go a different direction. With Noche UFC originally set to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in Sept. 13 before moving to San Antonio, Texas, rumors swirled that Yair Rodriguez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is likely next for Volkanovski. "It's pretty clear that it wasn't going to be Movsar," Volkanovski told FOX Sports Australia. "That's who I thought it would be. Obviously, him being undefeated and on the sort of a tear that he's on, but I think they've matched him up. You've seen him tweet something about that. So, he already went out and made that public that he unfortunately can't fight for the title. "Yair's name has popped up. No dates are set right now. So, again, I think it's just a lot of moving parts all through the whole division. I think there's a lot happening right now. So, we'll see what's happening. We'll see what comes up. All I can really tell you is everyone pretty much knows the situation, and the rumors you're hearing are pretty much true, but nothing's locked in." Rodriguez in the title picture may come as a surprise to many since he is 1-2 in his past three fights. After back-to-back losses to Volkanovski for the featherweight title then Brian Ortega, "El Pantera" rebounded with a unanimous decision win over former Bellator champion Patricio Freire at UFC 314.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sadio Mane scores four in Al Nassr's 9-0 thrashing
Alex Volkanovski: 'I'm most proud of coming back from 2 knockout losses' Alexander Volkanovski returns as two-time UFC featherweight champion after his win over Diego Lopes to break down what it meant to regain the belt, getting back on track after back-to-back knockout losses, a potential fight with Movsar Evloev, the state of his division, his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, wanting the Ilia rematch, Belal Muhammad vs. fellow Aussie Jack Della Maddalena, and more. 3:23 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Islam Makhachev fires warning at Jack Della Maddalena ahead of title clash
Islam Makhachev has vowed to show Jack Della Maddalena a 'different level' when they clash for the UFC welterweight title, after 'JDM''s triumph in Montreal. Della Maddalena secured a decision win over Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315, dethroning the latter in his first title defence. With that, the door has opened for lightweight king Makhachev to move up and challenge for a second belt. Makhachev, who has been a dominant 155lb champion since late 2022, has eyed the welterweight strap for some time but insisted he wouldn't challenge Muhammad, with whom he has trained in the past. Therefore, Muhammad's loss on Saturday (10 May) allows the Russian to challenge Della Maddalena for the 170lb belt, as Makhachev eyes a third title-fight win over an Australian. Perth's Della Maddalena in fact referenced Makhachev's two victories over compatriot Alexander Volkanovski, while speaking after his win on Saturday. He said: 'I'm gonna get him back for Volk.' 'You are not Volk,' Makhachev tweeted in response. 'I will show you [a] different level. Keep my belt clean.' Makhachev also wrote: 'Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah. Let's go.' However, there is speculation that Makhachev, 33, will not be vying for 'double champ' status in the way he wants. There have been multiple UFC fighters to have held titles in two weight classes, but only four who have held both belts simultaneously. Makhachev wants to achieve the latter feat, but the UFC seems to have soured on the idea of fighters holding two titles at once, as it can hold up divisions. It is therefore expected that Makhachev will have to vacate the lightweight belt before challenging JDM at welterweight. Such a move would mirror Ilia Topuria's recent relinquishing of the featherweight title, as the Georgian-Spaniard prepares to challenge for the lightweight strap. So, while Makhachev was waiting to see who would win the UFC 315 main event, so was Topuria; if Muhammad had won and Makhachev had stayed at lightweight, the latter would have defended the 155lb title against Topuria, who will now face Charles Oliveira instead.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
UFC 315 LIVE RESULTS: Jack Della Maddalena BEATS Belal Muhammad to win BLOODY title as Jose Aldo retires after loss
Australian gold With Maddalena now crowned welterweight champion, Australia boasts three UFC world champions. He joins former champion Robert Whittaker and reigning featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski as just the third Aussie to claim UFC gold. Jack Della Maddalena went to war in the main event, delivering a thrilling performance that showed why he deserves to be a world champion.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aussie Della Maddalena wins UFC welterweight crown
Australia have two current UFC champions for the first time in the country's history after Jack Della Maddalena produced an upset victory over Belal Muhammad in their welterweight bout in Canada. Della Maddalena left his opponent bloodied early in Saturday night's (Sunday AEST) fight in Montreal, and his take-down defence was superb throughout. The West Australian landed the more significant blows, and twice threatened to end the fight in the fifth and final round, only for Muhammad to recover in the nick of time to defend his space. The three judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, 49-46, handing Della Maddalena a unanimous decision victory. With Alexander Volkanovski winning the featherweight title last month and Della Maddalena claiming the welterweight belt, Australia have two current champions for the first time. The only other champion in Australian history was Robert Whittaker in the middleweight division. "Australia we've got three of these babies. Let's go," Della Maddalena said after claiming the belt. "It's exactly how I thought it would feel, it feels f***ing good. "He brings the pressure. I knew I had to be smart on my feet. "I should have been sharper with the shots, but it is what it is. "I couldn't spend too much time on my back. I felt like I took my breath and made my move." Australia you have another UFC champion!!!!Jack Della Maddalena is the Welterweight Champion of the World 🏆#UFC315 — UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) May 11, 2025 The opening round was an even affair, with both fighters landing some nice blows. Della Maddalena copped a couple of early rights, but fought back with a nice kick to the head, followed by a left-right combo. The Australian's confidence continued to grow in the second round, with a nice jab leaving the champ momentarily on the back foot. By the end of the third round, there was a strong sense Della Maddalena was winning the fight, with his quick movement and take-down defence continually frustrating the champ. Muhammad, sensing the fight slipping away, came out swinging in the fourth round, finally earning his first take-down. Della Maddalena managed to get up, and it was open slather at times as the fighters traded heavy blows. The final round was even more explosive. Muhammad twice took down Della Maddalena, but the Aussie dug deep to get up each time. Drenched in his opponent's blood and with his right eye closing up, Della Maddalena landed a flurry of blows with punches and knees to put Muhammad on the ropes. "I looked up at the clock and saw 30 seconds left, but I wanted to take him out of there," Della Maddalena said. "But he's a tough dude, he's not easy to put away." The bout marked Della Maddalena's first fight since breaking his left forearm in a TKO win over Gilbert Burns in March last year. Della Maddalena ended up needing four surgeries and an extended stint on antibiotics before he was finally cleared to fight again. The 28-year-old boasts an impressive 18-2 record, including a perfect 8-0 since joining the UFC in 2022. In the lead-up to the fight, Della Maddalena said he wants to chase down Georges St-Pierre's record of nine consecutive UFC welterweight title defences. Della Maddalena said if he won the belt against Muhammad, he would love to defend his title in Perth this year. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko retained her flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Manon Fiorot. All three judges scored the five-round bout 48-47, with Shevchenko landing the more significant blows despite Fiorot being the better fighter with the take-downs. It marked Shevchenko's 10th title fight win, putting her sixth on the all-time list for male and female UFC title wins.
