He wanted it – and he made the most of it.
Sydney-based featherweight Alexander Volkanovski came into UFC 232 knowing that he needed to make a statement after calling out Chad Mendes.
For 10th-ranked Volkanovski, that meant calling out a fighter who’d only lost to Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor and Frankie Edgar.
Legends, all of them.
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That mattered little for Volkanovski, who opened the UFC 232 main card by trading blows on the feet – including an insane exchange in the second round.
Just check out this storm.
OH Mendes rocks Volkanovski here in round 2! #UFC232 pic.twitter.com/PgjeqJX2JX
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
Volkanovski weathered the punches and rear naked choke attempt, though, finishing the fight at 4:14 of the second round, capitalising on a downed Mendes to unload some fury before the fight was waved off.
VOLKANOVSKI HAS ARRIVED!!!#UFC232 pic.twitter.com/f874DKcP2e
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
“I’m one of the most powerful guys in this division and I’m put together better than anyone in his division,” Volkanovski sai after improving to 16 straight wins.
"I just want to shoot up these ranks,” Volkanovski said.
Alexander Volkanovski:
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 30, 2018
“Lot of people saying that there is not much left for Max Holloway in this division. I think I’m next in line. Moicano didn’t make weight and he has a fight coming up. There is one more test for Max Holloway"#UFC232
“I said it from the start, even though I knew he was one of the toughest guys in the division, I knew this is a fight I wanted, he’s a great fight but I’m Alexander the Great.”
Mendes now goes back to the drawing board after returning from a nearly three-year layoff – courtesy of a USADA suspension – to stop Myles Jury.