Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski have teased a rematch of their UFC 284 lightweight title fight. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes that the two champions have business to handle in their own division before clashing once again.
During a segment of 'Tap In or Tap Out' on his podcast, DC & RC, the former double champion stated:
"I tap in on the great fight. I tap out because Islam's got work to do in his own weight class and so does Alexander Volkanovski. Volkanovski owes it to Yair Rodriguez to go and give him an opportunity to try to become the undisputed champion of the world, and I don't know if it's fair to Beneil Dariush if he beats Charles Oliveira to not get his chance to fight for the lightweight championship of the world."
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Daniel Cormier continued:
"This is the danger in super fights because you get a close super fight and people are clamoring to see it again when in reality we have two divisions that need the champions back in order to really give us a little clarity."
While Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski put on a great fight, both the lightweight and featherweight division have contenders deserving of a title opportunity. Although there is a possibility that the two fighters meet down the road, each will likely face at least one more opponent before doing so.
Watch Daniel Cormier's comments on a potential rematch of UFC 284 below (starting at the 35:44 mark):
Yair Rodriguez unconcerned with Alexander Volkanovski's plans
Yair Rodriguez became the interim featherweight champion after defeating Josh Emmett in the co-main event of UFC 284. During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, 'El Pantera' shared that he is not concerned with Alexander Volkanovski's plans, stating:
"At the end of the day, if he decides not to defend the title, that will make me the undisputed champion. Why? Because I'm going to defend the belt against somebody else, and what's going to happen? I'm going to be the undisputed champion. If he decides to come and fight at 145 pounds again then whoever wins that fight will be undisputed so regardless of the situation - it's one of those situations where you have to fight again."
Although Volkanovski has teased another lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev, he has shared that he would like to defend his featherweight title as well. Rodriguez will be out for at least six months due to a medical suspension, however, he has his eyes set on becoming the undisputed featherweight champion when he returns.
Watch Yair Rodriguez's comments on Alexander Volkanovski below: