Aussie UFC king Alex Volkanovski bids to make shock return to the Octagon for UFC 280 - where Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will fight for the lightweight title he wants
- Alex Volkanovski says he is ready to be on standby for the lightweight title fight
- Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will battle it out for the belt at UFC 280
- Aussie star Volkanovski is eager to become a two-weight world champion
- He will get the chance to lobby UFC supremo Dana White at UFC 277
Alexander Volkanovski has offered to go on standby for UFC 280 after returning to contact training mere weeks after undergoing hand surgery.
The all-conquering featherweight king broke and dislocated his left hand during his career-best performance over Max Holloway, in which the Australian romped to a unanimous decision win over the fan-favourite.
Volkanovski immediately expressed his desire to move up to lightweight and fight for the 155-pound belt, although the UFC have opted to go in a different direction - slating Charles Oliveira to face Islam Makhachev for the vacant title.
Alexander Volkanovski has offered his services for UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi later this year
The lightweight rivals are set to meet at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, but undeterred by the disappointment of missing out on the shot, Volkanovski says he will be ready to step in at short notice if anything happens to either fighter.
'Remember when I said about never letting people take away opportunities away from me?' the 33-year-old told the Daily Telegraph when commenting on his swift return to training.
'So if I'm fit enough, do I stand by and be ready (for UFC 280) just in case someone gets injured, which I've got a feeling someone will? Go and stand by so nobody can take that opportunity away from me?
Charles Oliveira (L) and Islam Makhachev (R) do battle for the lightweight championship
'That's the type of guy I am. So we'll see if it's doable and I might be making that trip to Abu Dhabi. Because that's who I am. Take away anything that can get in my way.'
Volkanovski will have the ear of Dana White at UFC 277 when the pair will watch the Aussie's team-mate Kai Kara France compete for the interim flyweight title, providing the 33-year-old a good opportunity to convince the UFC supremo to make him the standby fighter.
He added that he is feeling stronger with every passing day after his successful surgery.
Volkanovski wants to convince Dana White to put him on standby for the lightweight title fight
'I trained this morning. I was doing kickboxing this morning.
'Without using this (lifts his left hand) hand, obviously. But I was kicking, punching with the right hand … I did strength at the start of the week.
'Six weeks from now I'll be able to grapple. Twelve weeks from when the injury happened, I'll be full contact.
'It will be properly healed. Like the rest of my bones if not stronger because of the screws.'
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