Fans react as Alexander Volkanovski is named top MMA fighter in 2022 by popular sports magazine

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has been named the top mixed martial artist in the world by Sports Illustrated for the year 2022.

Alexander Volkanovski was flawless in his two fights against 'The Korean Zombie' and Max Holloway this year. He dominated both bouts with relative ease despite the high quality of the opposition. In doing so, he secured his place atop the men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Fans on Reddit reacted to Sports Illustrated naming him the best MMA fighter, and it appeared that the majority agreed with the choice. Many fans referenced the trilogy fight against Holloway as the defining moment for 'The Great' and a true testament to his abilities.

One user wrote:

"I remember everyone was so 50/50 and volatile after the second fight. People saying Volk talking about how USADA woke him up in the middle of the night was an excuse, etc. The fact he blew Max out the water like that was just unreal. The same Max that put a historic beating on Kattar."

Check out some of the comments below:

"There is no question it’s Volk. He didn’t drop a single round all year. If you look at the MMADecisions for the Max fight, only one media member gave a single round to Max. He beat a GOAT-level champion flawlessly. Seriously, what is more impressive?"

Other fans mentioned Alex Pereira's incredible rise from newcomer to middleweight champion as a worthy contender for the title, as well as Leon Edwards' historic come-from-behind knockout victory over the utterly dominant Kamaru Usman.

One fan commented:

"I mean it's between the storybook run of Pereira or the terrifying dominance of Volkanovski, can't go wrong with either."

"Pound for Pound. Headshot. Dead."

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Alexander Volkanovski reveals his motivation ahead of championship fight against Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski is set to be Islam Makhachev's first challenge as lightweight champion. The Australian will take on Makhachev in front of his home crowd in Perth when the UFC returns to Australia for UFC 284 next February.

Alexander Volkanovski recently spoke to Michael Bisping on the Believe You Me podcast and detailed his motivations in the buildup to the big fight:

“Me accomplishing this goal — not only the champ-champ, it’s obviously going to be incredible, having two belts — but not just that. It’s, while doing that, taking out someone like Islam. Especially being a featherweight going to move up to lightweight... This just makes when I get my hand raised, it just makes it so much bigger. So that’s what’s motivating me right now, the fight itself. It’s going to be extra special getting both belts on them shoulders, but [also] who I’m taking out in the process.”

Check out the full interview below: