'Spice up that card': UFC urged to book Alexander Volkanovski's next fight at the White House
Updated . First published at
Alexander Volkanovski looks to have his next UFC opponent sorted and now the calls have begun for the Australian star to compete at the White House.
The 37-year-old successfully defended his featherweight title in February with a clinical victory against Diego Lopes in Sydney and is keen to continue his legendary career.
Volkanovski (28-4) has vowed to compete again this year and it now appears as though he will defend against Movsar Evloev in the 145lb division.
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Evloev defeated fellow top contender Lerone Murphy on Sunday (AEDT) to book a likely shot at Volkanovski's belt, earning the majority decision at London's 02 Arena.
Movsar Evloev in action against Lerone Murphy. Getty
"He's [Volkanovski] been waiting for me for a really long time and before he gets too old let's make it happen," Evloev told Paramount+ after the win.
"May I'm ready and if Alex is ready, let's dance."
Volkanovski was eager to respond and welcomed the quick turnaround.
"Old man Volk. This old man still has some tricks left," the Aussie said.
"Bring it on. He's right, I have been calling him out because I believe he has been deserving for quite some time.
"I love that he said May. That means he's ready to turn it around pretty quick."
The company already has a rather packed schedule over the next two months.
UFC 327 is scheduled for mid-April, while UFC 328 is booked for May with a main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland announced last week.
After that card, the next major event on the calendar will be 'UFC Freedom 250' on June 15 (AEDT) which is going to be held on the White House lawn - and according to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, that event could do with Volkanovski's injection.
Alexander Volkanovski. Zuffa LLC
"White House lawn, let's go - give the man a couple of months off, we're only in March and it's in June," Rogan said on his Fight Companion podcast.
"Come on, spice that card up baby."
The card will be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title, while the co-main event will see Alex Pereira move up to heavyweight and take on Ciryl Gane for the interim title, with Tom Aspinall still sidelined due to an eye injury.
But if the UFC wished to 'spice it up' like Rogan is pushing for, a net would have to be cast wide to find a better fighter to add to the fray than the uber-popular Volkanovski.
The next option for Volkanovski's return to the octagon would likely be for International Fight Week, which is usually held in Las Vegas at the end of June.
