All Latest ES FanCast NASCAR Golf WNBA Tennis NFL College Basketball NBA Boxing Olympics UFC Swimming MLB Track and Field Gymnastics Soccer College Football

UFC 300: Alexander Volkanovski Gives Dana White an Escape Route for Headliner as Spanish Card Plans Spoiled for Ilia Topuria

ByPrit Chauhan

Feb 15, 2024 | 1:36 AM EST

Link Copied!

Alexander Volkanovski has bounced back to very high spirits. The champion of the featherweight division was visibly shaken after his unfortunate loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. The fact that he stepped in at short notice was less important than the fact that he felt that being in camp was the best way to keep his head straight. And now, he has completed one of the best camps of his life.

All so he can go ahead and reward Ilia Topuria‘s confidence with a beatdown. At least that’s what the featherweight champion wants at UFC 298. In a recent press conference, he opened up about his desire to headline multiple pay-per-views after defeating ‘El Matador’ just to help out Dana White.

Article continues below this ad

What if Alexander Volkanovski returns at UFC 300?

Dana White promised a main event worth the hype and UFC 300 and so far, we have nothing. Moreover, Ilia Topuria has requested the UFC to take the promotion to Spain because that’s where ‘El Matador’ would like to defend his title. One that he hasn’t won just yet.

Now, Volkanovski wants to be the highlight of both of these demands. First, he wants to defeat Topuria and retain the belt. Next, he’d highlight UFC 300 and then defend his title again in a pay-per-view in Spain. Is that even possible? Only ‘Volk’ can decide.

“. . . I’m going to go out there and win and I’ll headline Spain.” He told reporters with great confidence. “How about that? I’ll go there and I’ll headline Spain and you know what? I think they’re struggling still, maybe I don’t know, it seems like they could be. I don’t know wherever they are with UFC 300, I know a guy . . . so just so you know that just in case there’s anything happening Dana, Hunter, you know, go, I’m going to go do business, ruin someone’s party or a few people’s party and then I can come, save the day like I always do.”

Clearly, ‘The Great’ has great faith in the camp that he’s been through to prepare against Topuria in Anaheim, California. Meanwhile, he’s thrown light to an interesting angle in the build-up to UFC 300. Is Dana White really struggling with the main event?

UFC 300, will it hit home?

Article continues below this ad

Jon Jones is not on the card. Khamzat Chimaev is also not on the card. And reigning middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis fought only recently. So, all in all, what we do know is that many big names have already declined a fight at UFC 300. Will Alexander Volkanovski actually have to come and save the main event?

Watch This Story: Was Dana White A Fighter? Has The UFC CEO Ever Stepped Inside The Famed Octagon?

Jones confirmed that Hunter Campbell, the UFC Chief Business Officer, contacted him and asked him if he’d like to fight. ‘Bones’ rejected the offer because he hasn’t quite recovered from the pectoral injury that drove him off-track on his way to his Stipe Miočić fight. Meanwhile, ‘Borz’ won’t be fighting at UFC 300 because it’s around the same time that the holy month of Ramadan commences, one that Chimaev observes strictly.

Article continues below this ad

Even heavyweight fighter Tom Aspinall opened up about how neither Jones nor Miocic wanted to fight him at this point in time. Jones hasn’t shut down the door on the Aspinall fight but his target is only Miocic right now. So a heavyweight bout is also off the cards. So who will be fighting at UFC 300 for the main event? Will White be able to deliver the shock and awe that he wants? Let us know your thoughts and predictions for the pay-per-view.

Also Read: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria Head to Head UFC Record: KO’s, Losses, Submission and More