Alexander Volkanovski has earned a reputation for being one of the toughest fighters in the UFC. Known for taking on any challenge, the former featherweight champion recently stirred things up with comments about facing Alex Pereira. Pereira, the UFC light heavyweight champion, is famous for his incredible knockout power and his ability to end a fight with a single punch. Given that Volkanovski typically fights at 145 pounds, the idea of him stepping into the Octagon with someone who weighs 205 pounds and hits like a freight train might seem far-fetched.
Volkanovski Opens Up on Beating Alex Pereira Despite the Weight Gap and Teases a Fight if the Price is Right
However, Volkanovski has never been one to shy away from big challenges. During a recent Q&A on his YouTube channel, he revealed that he would be open to a fight with Pereira if the right offer came along. But what really caught fans’ attention was Volkanovski’s honest and humorous take on how he would approach such a fight. Rather than claiming he would stand and trade punches with the knockout artist, Volkanovski said that his strategy would be simple: he would aim to take out Pereira’s legs and do everything he could to avoid trading punches with someone who has the power to knock him out in an instant.
“Money Talks mate, money talks. You’d do it? Of course, you would cause you would get some good coin for that,” Volkanovski said. “Imagine having to step up and fight that monster… I could see myself being like all right let’s do it. I’m hanging onto a leg you know what I mean?”
“I’m a confident guy but I ain’t going to stand there with that bloke. Let’s be real… I’m going to try and hang on to the legs and try and find that takedown. Because if you don’t you’re going to be in for some hurt.”
While the likelihood of this match ever happening is slim, Volkanovski’s comments provide an interesting glimpse into his mindset. He is known for taking short-notice fights and stepping up to face anyone who presents a challenge. His attempt to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294 was one of the many examples of how he never backs down from a tough opponent. But facing a fighter as dangerous as Pereira, who has a career built on his ability to end fights quickly, is a different kind of challenge.
Volkanovski’s team, especially his training partners at City Kickboxing, are no strangers to Pereira’s skillset. Israel Adesanya, another fighter from City Kickboxing, has faced Pereira multiple times, including in their UFC battles. Adesanya lost to Pereira at UFC 281 but earned a decisive victory in their rematch at UFC 287.
Alex Pereira recently won against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 and is now eyeing a fight with Magomed Ankalaev.
Although a fight between Volkanovski and Pereira may never happen, Volkanovski’s willingness to joke about such an impossible match-up shows his fearless approach to the sport. Whether or not he faces Pereira in the future, it’s clear that Volkanovski is always ready for a challenge, and that attitude is what makes him such a beloved figure in the MMA world.
