Alex Volkanovski had been hopeful of fighting for his former title at UFC 312 in Sydney but the UFC featherweight looks like he'll have to make other plans.
At a press conference in Sydney last week, the 145-pound great said he was looking to fight the winner of this weekend's UFC 308 main event when the company returns to Australia on February 9.
Ilia Topuria will aim to make the first defence of his title when he takes on Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi, with Volkanovski on hand to take it all in.
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However, speaking this week, Topuria said Volkanovski's wish won't come true if he retains his belt.
"Listen, if that makes him feel happy, him thinking that maybe I would go to Australia, that's okay. But in myself, that's never gonna happen," Topuria said at UFC 308 media day.
"I'm the champion and if you wanna fight for a title again, it has to be Madrid instead of fighting in Australia in front of your people. Why I would give you that advantage?"
It was a similar message from Holloway's side, if a little less blunt.
"We'll see what happens," Holloway said.
"First things first is Ilia and then after this, I promised my boy some traveling time in December. So, that might be a quick turnaround.
"I have two Aussies who represent me in my management and I found out what taxes is over there... I was like, 'Yeah, okay... [laughs]. Yeah, Vegas sounds good.'"
So with those two seemingly off the table for UFC 312 in Sydney, Volkanovski's only option could be against rising Brazilian Diego Lopes.
Following the announcement of the UFC 312 pay-per-view, Lopes took to social media to confirm his interest.
"February sounds good to me," Lopes wrote.
Volkanovski suggested he could fight for an interim title next, although it remains to be seen whether the UFC will grant that wish.
