UFC Champ Alexander Volkanovski Pleased to Have ‘Direction’ in Featherweight Division

Alexander Volkanovski was an interested observer during the UFC Fight Night 180 headliner – and for good reason.

Brian Ortega’s unanimous decision victory over Chan Sung Jung provided some much-needed clarity in the featherweight title picture. That pleased Volkanovski, who previously had been forced to consider the possibility of a third meeting with Max Holloway despite two victories against the Hawaiian star.

“Finally we have some direction in this division, get in there and take that [No. 1] spot…that’s all I wanted,” Volkanovski wrote on Twitter.

Finally we have some direction in this division, get in there and take that #1 spot....that’s all I wanted!! #ufcfightisland6

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) October 18, 2020

Volkanovski’s first victory over Holloway was more decisive than his most recent, a contentious split decision at UFC 251 in July. Even UFC president Dana White questioned the judging for the rematch at the time and later indicated that a trilogy could be in store.

More recently, however, White confirmed that the Ortega-Jung matchup would yield the division’s next No. 1 contender.

"It's absolutely a No. 1 contender fight," White told ESPN before the event. "First of all, this fight should have happened a long time ago. We're finally here. All the crazy stuff that's happened. Crazy stuff always happens in this sport. Zombie [Jung] vs. Ortega. Absolutely, the winner of this fight should be the next title shot.”