Alexandre Volkanovski couldn’t help but offer his services for UFC 303.
After Conor McGregor withdrew from Saturday’s headliner against Michael Chandler at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas due to a broken pinky toe, the UFC scrambled for a replacement.
Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) promised to take time off after knocking out Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria in four months, but couldn’t resist the temptation to tell the UFC that he’s willing to save the card.
“So I thought, ‘Hey, if you need someone, you know a guy,’” Volkanovski said in his Youtube channel. “I raised my hand. Obviously I saw that some people put it up, so it was publicized. Some people think I’m mad, but I’m back training now and I’m excited to get back out there. All it takes, just one little thing like that, and I raise my hand.”
The UFC has opted for a title rematch between light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. A featherweight co-main event between former title challenger Brian Ortega and rising contender Diego Lopes has also been added.
Although Volkanovski was sincere in his offer to participate in UFC 303, he is grateful that the UFC did not accept his idea.
“But it wasn’t me,” Volkanovski continued. “I didn’t get the call back. The UFC said, ‘Oh no.’ They were sitting there saying, ‘You’re a savage, but we’ll let you know if we need you,’ kind of thing. They knew what I said at the beginning of the year and they said, ‘Look, let’s take a little break.’
“So they were obviously respecting that, so good on them for that. Even though I kept reminding them, every day I think, ‘I’m serious, let me know.’ But they stuck to their guns and I think they looked out for me. You have to respect them for that, but I wanted to save the day.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 303.
