Alexander Volkanovski reveals surgery needed on broken thumb, likely out 12 weeks
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski announced he suffered a broken thumb in his win over Max Holloway at UFC 276 and will be out for 12 weeks.
Following his flawless victory over Max Holloway at UFC 276, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski revealed that he will be sidelined for approximately three months. During his co-main event title fight against Holloway, Volkanovski apparently suffered a broken thumb, which he at first thought was a broken hand, early in the fight. The injury was so apparent to the champion that after the second round, he went back to the corner and made his team aware of the pain and injury he believed it to be.
Speaking to Submission Radio this week, Alexander Volkanovski’s coach Eugene Bareman shared the interaction of himself and the champion, encouraging him to push through the pain, and not to mention it again. The defending champion would go on to defeat Max Holloway by unanimous decision with 50-45 scores across the board.
After meeting with doctors and undergoing an X-ray, Volkanovski tweeted out a picture of his injury which revealed a broken thumb, and the champion said he will likely be out 12 weeks due to surgery to fix the injury.
Broke my thumb in the second round, but that don’t stop us!
Having surgery today and will be out for 12 weeks. Looking forward to getting back out there, thanks to everyone for the support 🙏🏽💯 pic.twitter.com/XvwLd223vL— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) July 8, 2022
“Broke my thumb in the second round, but that don’t stop us! Having surgery today and will be out for 12 weeks. Looking forward to getting back out there, thanks to everyone for their support.”
Following his win over Holloway, a clean sweep in their trilogy matchup, Alexander Volkanovski stated he’s ready to go up and fight for the vacant lightweight title, if the UFC is willing to book him for it. While the injury may put a halt to those immediate plans, Volkanovski will certainly still be looking to become another member of the two-division champion club.
Despite his eyes being on the lightweight division, having felt he’s cleaned out the featherweight division, the champion has been called out numerous times by surging contender Josh Emmett. After Emmett’s latest win over Calvin Kattar at UFC Austin, he called for a title fight opportunity, stating he’s been knocking on the champion’s door for some time now.
One of the very best in the UFC, and arguably the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Alexander Volaknovski will have no shortage of opponents and opportunities when he returns from injury.
