Alexander Volkanovski Sets the Record Straight on Surgery Comments
In the aftermath of his successful title defense at UFC 290, Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, has clarified his previous comments about undergoing surgery. The Australian fighter has assured fans that the procedure won’t keep him out of action for an extended period, dismissing concerns about his availability for the upcoming pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.
Volkanovski’s victory over interim titleholder Yair Rodríguez demonstrated his dominance in the featherweight division, further solidifying his claim for the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) at 145 pounds. Having previously challenged lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski was returning to his own weight class, where he has reigned supreme since 2019.
Ahead of his bout with Rodríguez, Volkanovski made it clear that he intended to secure a rematch with Makhachev by defeating top lightweight contender Charles Oliveira at UFC 284 in October. However, Oliveira’s recent announcement that he won’t be ready for that date led to speculation about Volkanovski’s chances of facing Makhachev again.
Addressing the media in his post-fight press conference, Volkanovski shed light on the nature of his upcoming surgery and emphasized that it wouldn’t hinder his return to the octagon for an extended period. Drawing from his experience of bouncing back from a more severe injury after UFC 276 in July of the previous year, the champion assured everyone that the surgery was a minor issue that he would quickly overcome.
“I didn’t mean to scare everyone with that,” Volkanovski clarified. “When I say I’m gonna do it, it’s not a big deal. I’ll be back ASAP. It will be a quick one, just need to get something sorted. But I’ll be training. Man, I broke my hand last International Fight Week, and you saw me at Abu Dhabi ready to fight Islam or Charles Oliveira. That was a broken bone. This ain’t a broken bone. You don’t need to stress about that… I’ll be back in there before most of the other champions anyway.”
Volkanovski also expressed his willingness to step in for Oliveira if needed, highlighting the irony of fighters requesting extra time while he himself would be recovering from surgery and potentially ready for the October event. He acknowledged that fighters like himself and Israel Adesanya are always ready to take on challenges and make the most of the opportunities presented to them.
Alexander Volkanovski Parties with Shaquille O’Neal and NBA Champion Jamal Murray after UFC 290
UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski didn’t hold back in celebrating his impressive victory over Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. The champion was spotted partying with NBA stars Jamal Murray and Shaquille O’Neal, adding an extra dose of star power to the post-fight festivities.
Volkanovski’s TKO win against Rodriguez marked his fifth successful title defense, solidifying his status as one of the best in the division. The high-profile fight drew a crowd of notable celebrities and industry figures, who witnessed the intense main event.
What caught the attention of fans and netizens alike were the after-party celebrations, where Volkanovski was seen enjoying the company of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and current NBA champion Jamal Murray. The champion took to Instagram to share the excitement of the night, posting a story that captured the vibrant ambiance and the presence of DJ Diesel, Shaq’s DJ persona.
Shaq, known for his passion for DJing, showcased his skills on the decks, creating an electrifying atmosphere that had everyone reveling in the music. The Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, served as the venue for this star-studded gathering, with fans eagerly embracing Shaquille O’Neal’s DJing pursuits.
The NBA legend had even announced the after-party before the fight, sharing a picture with UFC President Dana White from inside the octagon on Instagram. Shaq’s foray into the world of DJing has been met with enthusiasm, and fans were thrilled to experience his music talents firsthand.
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