On Saturday night, Dana White and the UFC will present one of the most stacked cards in promotional history.
Headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, UFC 280 is lined from top to bottom with big names and important match-ups. Perhaps one of the biggest pieces of news ahead of the UFC’s latest pay-per-view offering was the reveal that featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is the official backup for the evening’s main event.
Dana White recently appeared on ‘My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox‘ to discuss all things UFC 280. With Volkanovski serving as the official backup for the lightweight headliner, Fox asked Dana White directly if Volkanovski is the next in light for a lightweight title opportunity. While White wouldn’t outright confirm that was the case, he by no means denied it either.
“Well, it makes sense. Well, makes sense.”
The UFC are looking to return to Perth, Australia on February 11th for #UFC284.
The RAC Arena will host. Alexander Volkanovski expected to be on the card 👀 pic.twitter.com/1VKAUVCR4l
— Lewis Simpson (@LewisSimpsonMMA) October 7, 2022
Dana White Talks Sean O’Malley vs. Petr Yan at UFC 280
Another match-up with major title implications is the bantamweight showdown between ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley and No. 1 ranked contender Petr Yan. When asked about a possible bantamweight title shot for the winner, White again did not give a direct answer but in doing so, essentially confirmed what many already suspected.
“This is one of those fights where, you know, Petr Yan is the No. 1 ranked guy in the world. O’Malley is 27 years old. He’s 15-1. He’s got the experience for this fight, he’s got the reach and height advantage. He’s got knockout power. He’s got all the tools to win this fight, he’s just gotta get out there and do it. And it’s no easy task, I’m not saying whatever, but Petr Yan is an absolute savage, but there was this comparison recently where Sean O’Malley said, ‘I would love to be the next Conor McGregor and be a big global superstar.’ Well, it’s about winning key fights. He’s already got that thing that people like about him. Now it’s about winning key fights.”
O’Malley himself was much more willing to give a direct answer while speaking to Michael Bisping on the former middleweight champion’s YouTube channel.
“I was trying to be humble, but you’re absolutely right. I f*cking beat Petr, I’m going to be the champ, I’m going to fight for the belt,” O’Malley said. “That’s what everyone wants. The UFC needs a champion like me. So yeah, you’re 100% right. I go out there and starch Petr, he face plants on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi, on a massive card, you’re pretty accurate in saying I’ll get the title shot.”
