"He didn't quit staying hungry"– Chael Sonnen cites Alexander Volkanovski's example to urge UFC welterweight contenders to prepare for potential title fight on short notice

Chael Sonnen thinks the UFC welterweight division shouldn’t view the rumored Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards trilogy fight as a done deal.

The welterweight division has accepted that Usman is getting the next title shot. As a result, the top contenders are not advocating for a fight against Edwards before next year.

During a recent YouTube video, Sonnen alluded to Alexander Volkanovski being the UFC 280 backup and opined that top welterweights should display the same motivation:

“There’s no better way to a title fight than to be ready on short notice. We have no idea how Kamaru Usman’s going to feel in February of 2023… That hunger and those guys clawing should still be there. They should still be demanding the [title] fight. They should be saying I’m the No.1 guy...”

Sonnen added:

“It’s very hard to become champ champ. Not only to have the skills to be champ champ, it’s just as hard to get the contract and an opportunity to compete for a second championship. Yet, with any slip-ups, Volkanovski is gonna find himself in that spot in two weeks… He didn’t quit staying hungry. He didn’t quit talking. He didn’t quit being prepared…”

Dana White has shown interest in Usman getting an instant rematch after losing the welterweight title to Edwards. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is still recovering from the knockout loss, with the trilogy fight rumored to happen in early 2023.

Watch Chael Sonnen discuss the welterweight division below:

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Chael Sonnen says he’s beyond impressed with Alexander Volkanovski being the backup fighter for UFC 280 main event

After his domination of Max Holloway in their trilogy bout in July, Volkanovski expresssed the desire to move up in weight and become a double champ. Recently the featherweight champion announced that he'd be serving as the replacement fighter if either Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev backs out of the main event.

‘The American Gangster’ claimed that Volkanovski being a main event backup and the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter is commendable. During a YouTube video, Chael Sonnen had this to say about Volkanovski:

“What more could you possibly want from Volkanovski? I am beyond impressed with this guy. Truly, I am beyond impressed.”

Volkanovski’s ambition to become a two-division champion should be an inspiration to other fighters. Even if he doesn’t fight at UFC 280, being the backup could lead to a future lightweight title shot for 'The Great'.

Check out Sonnen's take below: