Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and commentator Joe Rogan implored Alexander Volkanovski to “take time off” after a second successive knockout defeat.
Volkanovski lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 298 courtesy of a vicious right hand from the latter in round two that left the Aussie knocked out cold.
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Topuria CRUSHES Volk with brutal KO | 01:18
The defeat marked Volkanovski’s second-straight loss in similar fashion having been knocked unconscious from a vicious head kick from Islam Makhachev last October when they fought for the lightweight title at UFC 294.
Many have questioned the Aussie’s willingness to fight so frequently, particularly after having his remarkable streak snapped, leading to concerns even this fight with Topuria was too soon.
“He knows what he’s doing,” fellow Aussie star Robert Whittaker told Fox Sports after the event.
“Rest up, spend sometime with your family, your daughters mate. You’re an absolute living legend, you deserve to run that back for sure – you’re one of the most dominant featherweight champions to have ever done it. And everyone’s due an off night.”
Whittaker offers Volk heartfelt advice | 01:15
Given Volkanovski had won the featherweight title back in December 2019 before successfully defending it five times, he’ll be guaranteed a rematch to become a two-time champion.
But Rogan had grave fears about the 35-year-old stepping straight into a rematch against the big-hitting Topuria.
“We’re talking about a guy that’s had two knockout losses in a row like that,” Rogan said during the post-fight coverage.
“If I was in his corner, if I was on his team, I would say, ‘Take time off.’
“If you’re going to fight again at 35 years of age, one of the all-time greats, recover completely. We don’t know if he recovered completely from the Makhachev fight.”
Volkanovski wants his rematch in Spain | 00:53
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Bisping agreed and pointed to not just the obvious health aspects of two consecutive knockout defeats but also the psychological ones as a reason for Volkanovski to stay away from the cage.
“That is a real factor to consider,” Bisping said.
“Volkanovski, does he, on paper, deserve another immediate rematch? Yes, of course, he’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.
“But does he really want to step back in there off not one, but two stoppages in a row?
“The mental aspect of it is huge. Not only the physical aspect, getting stopped twice with the concussions in a row, that’s dangerous.
“But, more importantly, psychologically, what that does to a fighter. Take some time off.
“But the problem is, time is not on his side at 35 years old.”
However, a prolonged absence from the UFC octagon is not something Volkanovski is comfortable with.
Volkanovski v Topuria: Fight Highlights | 03:41
After his loss to Makhachev in October last year — when he famously took the fight on just 12 days notice — the Aussie poured his heart out in the post-fight press conference and revealed the mental toll being out of fight camp takes on him.
“It (not being in camp) was just doing my head in,” Volkanovski said.
“So when this opportunity came up, I’ll be honest I wasn’t training as much as I should’ve but I thought I had to do it. Had to take it.”
Volkanovski added: “I was doing my head in not fighting. Don’t know why. I’ve got a beautiful family.
“I think you just need to keep busy. So I ask the UFC to keep me busy.
“I need to be in camp or I’m gunna do my head in.
“I’ll leave it at that.”
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