“I don’t need to prove anything,” Volkanovski told UFC.com. “I’m just going to continue to improve, continue to build my legacy and I’ll let people decide that. You’re not going to get everyone on your side. It’s simply impossible. Believe me, I tried early in my career. I wanted everyone to know that I’m a nice guy. It will not work. Even if you are nice, you will attract haters.
UFC 298 integrated
Doubt fuels Volkanovski, however, despite dissenters dwindling dramatically as he built his Hall of Fame resume during his title reign. That said, he heads into UFC 298 with easy narratives to argue against.
The 35-year-old Australian is coming off a 2023 that saw him defend his featherweight title once against Yair Rodriguez, but also included two losses to Islam Makhachev, including a first-round knockout result in their rematch at UFC 294. The mission happened on less than two weeks’ notice, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it was Volkanovski’s first time finishing since a May 2013 welterweight contest Add to that the struggles of fighters over 35 who were fighting in title fights, and you’re kind of wondering “is it time?” » floating around Southern California.