Alexander Volkanovski hasn’t modified his thoughts on who the best featherweight of all time is.
Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) defended his 145-pound title 5 instances earlier than dropping it to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February. His resume consists of wins over Jose Aldo, Max Holloway thrice, and Brian Ortega.
However Volkanovski had excessive reward for “The King of Rio” and the way in which he carried himself all through his six-year championship reign that started within the WEC.
“Clearly his method, his talent is all the time going to be one thing that you just’re going to understand, however him being such a respectful champion,” Volkanovski advised Fox Sports activities Australia. “Once more, that’s how I wish to be like. I feel he’s morally right, I feel he’s simply respectful. He’s how a champion needs to be, and that was one thing that I actually did recognize and made me need to be an ideal champion, too.”
Aldo (31-8 MMA, 13-7 UFC) returns vs. Jonathan Martinez (19-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 301 (Pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+) bantamweight co-main occasion at Rio Enviornment in Rio de Janeiro.
Volkanovski admitted Aldo’s UFC file seven title defenses at featherweight makes him the best within the historical past of the division.
“I can recognize what Aldo’s executed, you already know what I imply,” Volkanovski mentioned. “That’s for different folks to determine however you already know for me, if you happen to’re going to ask me, I’m going to say Aldo as a result of you already know, he was a champion for a really very long time.
“Clearly, individuals are going to have a look at competitors and all that, however to be champion that lengthy, issues go mistaken. You combat injured, there’s so many issues that may go mistaken and to be champion that lengthy, it’s saying one thing. He was very dominant as champion, as properly, so full respect to Aldo.”
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