5 UFC fighters who could challenge Alexander Volkanovski instead of Max Holloway

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#2. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Giga Chikadze

Chikadze faces Calvin Kattar on January 15th

If Max Holloway were to relinquish his grip on the number one contendership, Giga Chikadze could be the man to take up the challenge for the UFC featherweight championship.

He has soared up the UFC rankings recently and could take a further step in January when he faces Calvin Kattar.

Chikadze is riding a nine-fight winning streak and has knocked out his last three opponents, including impressive finishes of Cub Swanson and Edson Barboza. Should Kattar be added to this list, Chikadze could make a case for a title shot.

While Chikadze is currently a little lower in the rankings at No.8, four of the division's top five are coming off losses. An impressive win over Kattar could therefore be enough to set up a title bout between Chikadze and Volkanovski.

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#1. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Henry Cejudo

Cejudo last fought Dominick Cruz in May of last year

While the UFC understandably may not be too keen on the idea of pitting Alexander Volkanovski against the "retired" Henry Cejudo, it really does seem like a fight to make.

Volkanovski has been wanting an opponent for some time and there simply is no other contender in the division who has the necessary credentials and is currently available to fight.

Cejudo is available and has a resume that arguably warrants a title shot. He is a former flyweight and bantamweight champion who never lost either belt. Seeing him step up to yet another weight division doesn't seem too much of a stretch.

Volkanovski vs. Cejudo is a big time main event that can be booked right away. The only snagging point is whether the UFC will forgive Cejudo for his abrupt "retirement" enough to bring him back to such a big spot.