While the betting lines are in favor of featherweight champ Aleksander Volkanovski ahead of his upcoming title defense against interim champion Yair Rodriguez, Jon Anik certainly feels Rodriguez has a bigger chance than the odds-makers suggest.
The unification bout between Volkanovski and Rodriguez headlines UFC 290 this Saturday in Las Vegas. Heading into fight week, Volkanowski sits as the -410 favourite, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, while Rodriguez’s dangerous comeback is +330. With the unique firepower and style Rodriguez brings to the table, Annick – who will be the main voice at the pay-per-view event – believes the formidable underdog will give Volkanovski one of his toughest fights yet and
“Yair Rodriguez is the playboy,” Anik told MMA Fighting. “One of one” Dominic Cruz coined it, and I’m not sure more appropriate words were used to describe an athlete. I have no point of comparison when it comes to Yair Rodriguez. I fully believe he would be a rival to Aleksander Volkanowski.”
Volkanovski returns to 145 after taking current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to the extreme in his quest to become a division two champ at February’s UFC 284 event, losing a highly controversial decision, losing his first octagon in the process.
If “The Great” is successful, there are two paths he could take – he could call a rematch with Makhachev at October’s pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, or Volkanovsky could stay at featherweight and take on another rising challenger in Ilya Topuria.
While many will be intrigued by the rematch between Makhachev and Volkanovski, Anik feels the second meeting will still have legs down the road.
“I feel like with the Makhachev-Volkanovsky match, you can let that spice up a bit,” said Anik. “I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that that fight can come to fruition even after three or four years. I just think with the wealth of talent you have now at 145 and 155, it’s not about beating while the iron is hot. I think it’s an ambition. Just thinking Volkanowski would pass Yair completely unscathed and turn him around in October.
“The only thing I would say is that when we sat down with Alex to start the year, he said he wanted to fight four times in 2023, and I definitely think – in the words of Michael Chandler – that Volkanowski has been here for a good while and it’s not too long. I really think he’s trying. Organizing training camps together and being aware of those wages and not fighting into his 40s. So I think we should enjoy Volanovsky while we can, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him try a quick turn even if it’s a tough fight in July.”