Wollongong native Alexander Volkanovski has plans to become the first Australian “double champ” in UFC history.
Volkanovski, 33, is already the current men’s featherweight title holder, but he has plans in his sights to move up and fight in the lightweight division.
With Brazilian Charles Oliveira currently holding the lightweight crown, Volkanovski says he’d move up the weight class to take him on for his shot at a second belt.
If the UFC decided that he would have to prove himself at 155 pounds first, Volkanovksi says it’d need to be for “big money” if there was no championship ready for the taking.
“Obviously, I’m not just going to move up for anyone,” Volkanovski told the Herald Sun.
“It has to be a big money fight, or a fight for the belt.
“And if the lightweight champ (Oliveira) was waiting around right now it would be good to go.
“But he’s not.
“So, I’ll go defend the featherweight belt again, earn GOAT status in my division and then I can move up after that.
“If I defend my belt again, then I definitely deserve a shot at that double champ status.
“And moving up has always been something I’ve wanted to do.”
The Australian star says before moving up divisions, he needs to “sort” his weight class first.
“But I just have to sort my division first,” Volkanovski added.
“So, after my next fight if I’m waiting for a new number one contender, then maybe I can go dance at lightweight then come back down.”
He’ll get the chance to prove himself again at featherweight with his third title defence coming against the winner of Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez.