Alexander Volkanovski’s Return to Training Camp
Though nothing is official, rumor has it that Alexander Volkanovski will face featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in a rematch sometime this year. Preparing for this anticipated bout, Volkanovski released his first training camp video over the weekend, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at his rigorous preparation. "We just got here in Thailand—Phuket. Got in last night," Volkanovski said. "Obviously, I’m here to do a bit of training camp. Hopefully a fight announcement soon. But we’re in camp. We’ve been in camp for a while, doing a pre-camp camp. So now we’re pretty much in camp."
High-Quality Training Partners
Volkanovski’s training camp is not just any usual setup; he has an impressive roster of sparring partners to help him get ready. "Good bodies here for us already. At Bangtao, you’ve always got good bodies, but I’ve got Craig Jones that’s come with us," Volkanovski noted. "We’ve got a heap of good guys to work with over here. I think Aljo is over here as well, so maybe we’ll get some training in. So it’s going to be a good trip." The mention of Craig Jones and the potential involvement of Aljamain Sterling, who is also in Phuket, highlights the high level of support Volkanovski has for his comeback.
Sterling’s Perspective
Aljamain Sterling, the former bantamweight champion, shares Volkanovski’s camp, bringing a wealth of experience and skill to the table. "I don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re sparring. More for him than for my own personal gain. That’s just kind of the way we do things back home. … just try to give the looks of our opponents to make it as practical as possible, so we can get that fight feel," Sterling said. This is Sterling’s first time training with Volkanovski, and he relishes the opportunity. "This is actually my first time training with Volk. We’ve seen each other in passing a bunch of different times, at the UFC PI, fighting events and things like that. This has been a cool experience to kind of work with one of the other greatest guys of all-time in the featherweight division. So this is really nice."
Anticipated Rematch
While the UFC has not yet made an official announcement, the speculation is that the fight between Volkanovski and Topuria will be part of UFC 314, scheduled for April 12 in Miami. This rematch is highly anticipated, given the skill and history of both fighters. Volkanovski’s return to the featherweight division is a strategic move to reclaim his former glory, but it has not stopped fans from wondering about alternative scenarios. "Honestly, wish Volk wasn’t so set on getting the featherweight strap back, because him vs. Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira or anyone else at 155 could be fun as hell. Instead, he’ll move up after taking another L and the luster will be gone," one fan opined.
Bruce Buffer’s Reflective Anniversary
In a touching moment, Bruce Buffer, the iconic announcer known as the "Voice of the Octagon," celebrated his 29th anniversary of being with the UFC. "It’s a true honor for me to celebrate my 29th anniversary of being the ‘Voice Of The Octagon’ as it was 29 years ago on February 16, 1996, that I first stepped into the Octagon at UFC 8 in Bayomon, Puerto Rico to announce the preliminary fights. I am both honored & very thankful," Buffer shared on his social media. His dedication and longevity in the sport are a testament to the growth and evolution of the MMA world.
Upcoming Bouts and Speculation
The MMA world is buzzing with several other upcoming fights and potential matchups. Joshua Van (12-2) will take on the unbeaten Rei Tsuruya (10-0) at UFC 313 on March 8, and Miesha Tate (20-9) will face Yana Santos (15-8) at a UFC Fight Night on May 3. Meanwhile, former middleweight champion Lyoto Machida, now a GFL team manager, is leaving the door open for an MMA return, stating, "I’m not saying I won’t fight again." These developments, along with the speculation about Volkanovski’s future fights, keep fans engaged and excited for what’s to come in the world of MMA.
