Alexander Volkanovski has seemingly gone down the pecking order after losing his title to Ilia Topuria. Some claim that he deserves a rematch, but up-and-coming featherweight contender Diego Lopes wants to fight ‘Volk’ in a battle for interim gold. So, is that what the UFC has planned for the former champion? Well, Volkanovski isn’t too sure who’s next for him.

Following Ilia Topuria’s UFC 308 demolition of Max Holloway, the champ has decided to take some rest. This win also means Diego Lopes has entered the championship scene. The up-and-comer mentioned how the UFC is looking for a PPV date in Spain and in the meantime, he suggests Dana White pairs him up with Alexander Volkanovski for a UFC 312 clash for the interim featherweight strap. But it seems the UFC hasn’t yet taken any action regarding Lopes’ suggestion.

As reported by CODE Sports’ Brendan Bradford, Alexander Volkanovski’s manager, Ash Belcastro, has confirmed that he and the UFC haven’t talked about a potential featherweight clash against Diego Lopes. The possibility of both of them butting heads is still very present. Regardless, ‘The Great’ has also made it clear where and for what he wants to fight next if the choice were up to him.

Besides, Dana White made it clear at the UFC 308 post-fight presser that the promotion was not going to say ‘no’ to Alexander Volkanovski. Why? Because the former champion never said ‘no’ to the UFC. He even saved the penultimate PPV in the UAE when he stepped in to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 on short notice. So it’s fitting that the promotion gives him a  hero’s return in his home country.

As we’re approaching 2025, the UFC is set to return to Australia for another PPV event, and if Alexander Volkanovski finds himself on that card, he wants the belt to be on the line. The report didn’t specify which belt he was talking about, but there’s a chance that maybe this gets done by the UFC and we see ‘Volk’ back in action in Australia. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria seems to have an issue with bringing Diego Lopes to the title conversation, because he doesn’t think the Brazilian “deserves” it.

Ilia Topuria backs Alexander Volkanovski, and not Diego Lopes, for his next title defense

Diego Lopes has proven to be one of the most exciting contenders in the 145lbs division. Despite losing the first two of his UFC fights, the 29-year-old has racked up a 5-fight winning streak and is now making a case for a title shot. But ‘El Matador’ isn’t impressed. Why? Like many others, Ilia Topuria believes that Alexander Volkanovski deserves his rematch, given how he carried the division when he was champion.

“[To Volkanovski] We’re gonna do it again. You deserve that. You’re the man. He defended his title seven times or I don’t know how many times. If someone deserves it, it’s him. So let’s do it, bro,” the featherweight champion stated during the post-fight interview at UFC 308.

If not Volkanovski, then Topuria could end up fighting the winner of the Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling. This featherweight clash at UFC 310 will have huge title fight implications at featherweight, considering everyone else from the top five, other than Lopes and Evloev, is coming off a loss or has already lost to Topuria.

Do you agree with ‘El Matador’s statement about Alexander Volkanovski? Let us know your thoughts on the featherweight title scene in the comments down below.