26 June 2023 , 14:30
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Alexander Volkanovski plans to set up a rematch with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev by "kicking Yair Rodriguez's a**".
Featherweight king Volkanovski, 34, defends his belt against interim titleholder Rodriguez in the main event of UFC 290 on July 8 in Las Vegas. The Aussie looks to bounce back to winning ways after suffering the first defeat of his UFC career against Makhachev in February.
The super-fight was razor close but Makhachev edged it out despite a late fightback from Volkanovski. Fans have since called for a rematch between the two champions and Volkanovski plans to set up a rematch with his rival by decisively beating Rodriguez. "People will be like 'Oh he's looking past him [Yair]'. I know he's dangerous, I just know what I'm capable of. I plan on running through him and moving on," Volkanovski said on Impaulsive.
Who wins at UFC 290 - Alexander Volkanovski or Yair Rodriguez? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
"I'm always a safe bet, we're going to go back to my mindset and how I look at it. I'm going to prepare as if this is the biggest challenge of my life, I'm going to turn up and do what needs to be done. I still expect to go out there and kick f****ng a**. People say I'm looking forward as I'm planning on going champ-champ by having that rematch with Islam."
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Rodriguez won the interim featherweight belt on the same night that Volkanovski lost to Makhachev, as the Mexican tapped out fellow top-ranked contender Josh Emmett. Volkanovski explained that he was fuelled by his doubters before fighting Makhachev and is adamant that he will dethrone the lightweight titleholder in a potential rematch.
Alexander Volkanovski fights Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 (Getty Images)"I love the challenge as it excited me and makes me better," he added. "That's why I wanted that fight, stylistically it was the worst match up for me. It wasn't me just moving up in weight, this guy was bigger but absolutely dominates in that position [on the ground].
"Everyone was doubting me, it was sort of annoying at some stages. People would hit me up and be like 'Why are you doing this?' they were almost trying to talk me out of it. I want to challenge myself and make myself better and I did rise to the occasion. It made me stronger and better. You've got to move forward, obviously it sucks but I'll get the rematch and I'll win."