Alexander Volkanovski recently fired back at Aaron Pico after he made bold comments about a hypothetical fight between them. Volkanovski didn’t hold back, confidently predicting how a clash would unfold. He made it clear that he isn’t taking Pico seriously until he competes at UFC 319.
Pico, 28, makes his promotional debut against the undefeated Lerone Murphy at UFC 319 this Saturday. He enters UFC with a strong reputation, built through his impressive tenure in Bellator. Now fighting for the MMA leader, he hopes to send a message.
Ahead of his promotional debut, Pico turned heads with a bold take on a potential bout against Volkanovski.
During an appearance on FOX Sports Australia, the featherweight champion addressed Pico’s comments directly. Volkanovski predicted he would fare well against Pico and have the edge in all areas.
“I’d reckon I’d crumble [Pico] in the wrestling department,” Volkanovski said. “His best bet is to obviously try and land a big shot. Other than that, I mop the floor with him.”
Volkanovski also emphasized that Pico needs to prove himself at the highest level before anyone will consider him a contender.
“If [Pico] can get through [Murphy] and blast through him, alright, now we’re talking. Now I could take it a bit more serious, now I can look into it a little bit more. And then, maybe we can make something happen,” Volkanovski added.
What Did UFC 319 Competitor Aaron Pico Say About Alexander Volkanovski?
Pico confidently claimed that his striking and wrestling could overwhelm Volkanovski in a hypothetical fight. He believes he has the tools to become UFC champions and intends on showcasing that to secure a title shot.
Speaking with FOX Sports Australia, Pico addressed what he believes would transpire if he fought Volkanovski. The former Bellator star didn’t hesitate when asked if he could finish the featherweight champion either.
“I really think I can knock [Volkanovski] out. I think my power is there with the best in the world,” Pico said. “He’s never fought a guy with the caliber of wrestling I have, but yeah, I do think I could stop him.”
Volkanovski Weighs In on Landscape of UFC Featherweight Division
While focused on staying champion, Volkanovski also weighed in on the featherweight title picture. After defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314, speculation grew over who he’d fight next.
Speaking with FOX Sports Australia, Volkanovski revealed he wanted to face Movsar Evloev for his first title defense. He felt the undefeated featherweight contender deserved the title shot, but that fight didn’t materialize.
The UFC later booked Evloev vs. Pico in Abu Dhabi, but that matchup also fell through. Volkanovski now eyes two key matchups: Murphy vs. Pico, and Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva.
He said both fights could produce his next challenger and it will be up to them to stand out. Volkanovski wants to defend his title in October, but isn’t sure the timing works out.
“You got Pico and [Murphy] fighting this weekend [at UFC 319], so I’ll definitely tuning into that because it could be that winner [next]. You got [Lopes vs. Silva],” Volkanovski said. “The only thing is, if I wanted to fight in October or something, there’s not much time for them.”
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