Alexander Volkanovski is excited to be coaching the revival of The Ultimate Fighter against Brian Ortega.
Volkanovski and Ortega were expected to fight at UFC 260 but the champ tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight was off. Although it was disappointing, the silver lining was Volkanovski getting the opportunity to coach TUF.
“It was a little bit of a shock,” Volkanovski told Helen Yee. (h/t MMAFighting). “I was planning on how I was gonna get home, waiting for the negative (COVID) tests and whatnot so I could get home, and then literally while that was happening we got wind of the TUF house and were like, ‘Alright’. Then before we knew it, it was locked in so I was like, I guess I’m here to stay. (Laughs).
“It’s gonna be good fun. I cannot wait to go out there,” Volkanovski said. “I love being in front of the camera so four, five weeks, however long it is in front of the camera, it’s gonna be good. I’m looking forward to it. It’s gonna be good banter. Obviously, a lot knowledge and I just can’t wait.”
TUF will begin filming soon and air in the summer. It will conclude with a featherweight title fight, but Volkanovski knows Max Holloway waits in the wings. However, the champ is just focused on TUF and Brian Ortega.
“Right now, it’s not important because I’ve got to focus on Ortega,” Volkanovski said. “I’ve got to give Ortega the respect that he deserves by knowing that he’s in front but at the same time, every time I do an interview I’m obviously getting asked about it, everyone’s still talking about it. So everyone will want that fight, that fight will always be there and it’s always gonna be a big fight.
“Again, I always says I’m not scared of no one so even though I am 2-0 against him, obviously that last one was a close one and people want to see it again, so I’m sure it will happen,” Volkanovski said. “Right now I’ve got Ortega to worry about and I’m sure once that all happens and the UFC throws some decent money, we can all make some money and we can make that fight happen. But right now, Ortega, I’ve got you on my mind and that’s it.”
