UFC | With one atop the pound-for-pound rankings and two title contenders, the next 12 months sets up as career-defining for Australia’s top UFC warriors.
It’s now a pivotal period for Australia’s three best Mixed-martial artists.
Alex Volkanovski, Rob Whittaker and Tai Tuivasa have been regular UFC headliners over the last couple of years, as they continue to ascend the ladders in their respective divisions.
With Volkanovski looking to conquer another division, Whittaker and Tuivasa could find themselves stuck as contenders in the foreseeable future. So it’s time to look at what is next for these three fighters.
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Alexander Volkanovski (25-1) – Featherweight champion, #1 pound-for-pound fighter
Volkanovski was recently crowned as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC after a convincing third straight victory over fierce rival Max Holloway.
Jumping from third to the top of the rankings was helped by Israel Adesanya’s lacklustre performance against Jarrod Cannonier and former number one Kamaru Usman suffering his first loss as champion against Leon Edwards.
Although it wasn’t all just luck to send Volkanovski to the top, he has run through all viable contenders in his division and holds an impressive 23-fight win streak.
Alexander Volkanovski is the new #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC based on the updated rankings.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 23, 2022
Usman falls to #4 behind Volkanovski, Adesanya and Oliveira. pic.twitter.com/X3sBsLgtPu
For Volkanovski, he has made his intentions clear that he wants to move up to the lightweight division to face either Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev.
If Volkanovski was to be victorious in this bout he would become just the fifth fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously, joining some of the greats like Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo and Conor McGregor.
Alexander Volkanovski hinted at a move to lightweight again while the featherweight division sorts itself out during his post-fight press conference.
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) April 10, 2022
Rankings or no rankings, what is the funnest matchup for him at lightweight?
Volk’s UFC fights seemed numbered at this point, as he has already established himself as one of the greatest fighters ever and he has made it clear that he is motivated to continue to build his legacy.
Going up to fight either one of Oliveira or Makhachev is a daunting task for anyone, let alone the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
We have seen attempts at moving up fail for some of the best, including Israel Adesanya who was disposed of by the Light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz.
If he wishes, the 33-year-old will likely be the next contender for the lightweight belt and if he is successful, Volkanovski will be widely regarded as one of, if not the best fighters of his generation and possibly all-time.
Rob Whittaker (25-6), #1 ranked Middleweight contender
Rob Whittaker is perhaps one of the unluckiest fighters in UFC history. ‘Bobby Knuckles’ has won 13 of his last 15 fights, with his two losses coming to Adesanya in championship bouts.
The 32-year-old has been a victim of circumstance, having one of the all-time greatest fighters in his division, which has robbed him of having a historic reign as the middleweight king.
Whittaker is literally levels above this man holy ????#UFCParis pic.twitter.com/bRfSGia82e
— Samayyy (@chosenboyy) September 3, 2022
Whittaker is as consistent as they come and possesses one of the best all-around fighting games in the UFC.
However, not being able to get over the hump of Adesanya is haunting his career at the moment and it seems likely that he will only be given one last shot to take down the ‘Style Bender’.
UFC President Dana White is running out of options for Adesanya, with Alex Pereira being the last viable option to be given a chance ‘Izzy’ at UFC 281.
I'm actually okay with this dog shit division staying open just for the bi-yearly Whittaker schooling pic.twitter.com/hFeR1RDd7b
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) September 4, 2022
The 32-year-old himself is running out of options and only has Paulo Costa who he hasn’t faced in the top ten of the division.
Whittaker will likely be pitted against the Brazilian, with the winner getting a chance at the belt against whoever is victorious between Adesanya and Pereira.
The best outcome from that fight for Whittaker is a Pereira win, as the UFC will be more inclined to give Bobby one last crack at the belt as a new match-up in what is becoming a stale middleweight division.
when I fight whittaker it won't be by decision, I'll go for the knockout. I hope he doesn't change divisions before then.
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 4, 2022
Tai Tuivasa (15-4), #4 ranked Heavyweight contender
Tai Tuivasa has become a universal fan-favourite in the UFC with his eccentric personality along with his now famous post-fight shoey.
‘Bam Bam’ was slowly moving up and had his chance to fight for the heavyweight belt when he went against Ciryl Gane, but ultimately came up short.
The fight did Tuivasa’s image no harm as he stayed resilient amidst a flurry of attacks from Gane that would’ve finished just about anyone else in the division.
Was this the first time Ciryl Gane got knocked down?
— Geralt (@Geralt31065966) September 3, 2022
Tai Tuivasa is a strong guy.#UFCParis pic.twitter.com/JmOdEBubdl
The difficult issue that Tuivasa now faces is the unclear future of the heavyweight division.
Current champion, Francis Ngannou has been in a verbal war with the UFC over his pay and looks unlikely to return, which would vacate the belt. Next in line for a shot at the belt would be former champion Stipe Miocic, then followed by Jon Jones and Gane.
Tuivasa finds himself in an awkward position with three and potentially four people who will likely have a chance at the heavyweight strap before him.
.@francis_ngannou is determined to step inside the boxing ring ????
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 2, 2022
(via @marcraimondi) pic.twitter.com/tvXJeuzkzE
Tuivasa will likely have to fight contenders lower down the rankings in order to re-establish a winning streak and get the fans even more behind him to push himself back in the championship picture.
Tuivasa will likely face off against fellow contenders Curtis Blaydes, Tom Aspinal (once he is healthy) or Sergei Pavlovich to push himself back up the rankings