Alex Volkanovski issues statement after Frankie Edgar gets title shot
After Alex Volkanovski beat Jose Aldo at UFC 237 by unanimous decision, the expectation was that he is the number one contender and would get the next title shot. However, that was not the case. Rather, it was announced at UFC 240 that Frankie Edgar will fight Max Holloway for the featherweight title.
After spending a few days in a hospital in Chile with a foot infection, Volkanovski is back home and took to Twitter to talk about getting passed over for the title shot.
Statement:
1/2 – I was pretty pissed off with timing of the announcement @BlessedMMA vs @FrankieEdgar…In saying that, the plan for me was always fighting for the belt later this year, and the @UFC have made it clear as #1 contender, I’m next in line. I wish Max & Frankie all the best…
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) May 21, 2019
“I was pretty pissed off with the timing of the announcement, @BlessedMMA (Max Holloway) vs @FrankieEdgar. In saying that, the plan for me was always fighting for the belt later this year, and the @UFC have made it clear as #1 contender, I’m next in line. I wish Max & Frankie all the best,” the first tweet read.
He then followed it up with this.
2/2 – and I look forward to meeting either of you in the octagon later in the year.
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) May 21, 2019
“and I look forward to meeting either of you in the Octagon later in the year,” he added.
Volkanovski is now 20-1 in his career and on a 17-fight winning streak which includes wins over the likes of Chad Mendes, Darren Elkins, Jeremy Kennedy, Shane Young and the aforementioned, Jose Aldo. The Australian has proven he is the top contender and should be getting a title shot next.
Edgar, on the other hand, last fought in April 2018 where he beat Cub Swanson by decision to get back into the win column after getting knocked out to Brian Ortega. Edgar was set to fight Holloway two times already but they fell off due to injuries. Now, after Edgar stayed on UFC 222 to fight Ortega, the UFC is returning the favor in terms of a title shot.
Whether or not that is justified is in the air, but at UFC 240 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, it will be Frankie Edgar not Alex Volkanovski fighting Max Holloway for the belt.
