“Calling yourself tune up is cr*zy” – Alexander Volkanovski gets fight offer from Dan Ige for UFC Perth leaving MMA fans into frenzy

Competition breeds competition. Featherweight Alexander Volkanovski is notoriously infamous for his “ready” stance to accept any fight. He also doesn’t shy away from voicing his two-division champion goals, no matter how many times he loses. Similarly, he now has a challenger in Dan Ige.

After a 1st round knockout of Andre Fili, Ige won the $50,000 ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus. After the UFC Vegas 86 performance, Dan Ige and his aspirations did not simmer down at all. At the post-fight presser, he mentioned taking a leave of absence for the birth of his second child. However, he prompted a quick turnabout on Cinco de Mayo next. This led him to make the most ambitious callout of his career.

Hey @alexvolkanovski...if you need a tune-up fight for Perth, I’d be happy to take the challenge...

Dan Ige via X (@Dynamitedan808)

According to reports, Perth will host UFC 305. Volkanovski is an Australian national hero. Hence, one would think the featherweight legend would try to get on the fight card. It is also why Ige issued a callout. However, Volk will aim for a title rematch rather than a tune-up fight. Former champion Max Holloway also supported Volk’s enthusiasm for a title rematch. He believed a KO loss should not pull Volkanovski away from the title picture.

Consequently, he now has a similarly enthusiastic challenger in Ige. However, fans aren’t yet settling into it. A prime reaction read – “Calling yourself a tune-up is cr*zy.” Ige is riding high on confidence after a knockout victory. His 10-6 UFC record remains better than most. However, it’s a far cry from Volk’s five successful title defenses. Ige’s callout also became a topic of discussion on the internet.

Fight fans react to Dan Ige calling out Alexander Volkanovski for UFC 305

UFC and Tourism WA have worked on multi-year deals for the promotion. UFC 305 at the RAC Arena on Sunday, Aug. 18, marks a trilogy for Perth hosting such a PPV event. Naturally, most people expect Aussie mainstay and former champ Alexander Volkanovski to feature in the event.

Now, the featherweight legend faces a new callout in the enthusiastic Dan Ige. The featherweight peer is on the heels of a momentous win against Andre Fili. Ige has now called on ‘The Great’ baiting to have a “switch-up” from his regular array of opponents. Here’s how the fans have reacted to it:

One fan wanted Ige to choose someone else in order for Volkanovski to get a much needed rest after two back-to-back KO lossess.

‘El Matador‘ Ilia Topuria has cordially warned Volk to steer clear of a rematch despite mutual respect. Accordingly, even Makhachev said that he blamed Volkanovski’s corner for his knockout defeat. Concurrently, he had said the same about his possible rematch with the Aussie after UFC 294. Now, some fans have the same notion – That Vokanovski should take a sabbatical for a while.

Others have lauded “50k” Dan Ige for adventurously shooting his shot. Volk is the epitome of stardom because of a similar enthusiasm to pitch in. Hence, many fans have taken a liking to the matter. Only time will tell if the former champ accepts the callout.

In case you missed it:

• Which fighter holds the throne for most knockouts in UFC history?
• “His team very bad,” Islam Makhachev criticizes Alexander Volkanovski’s gym for bad advice over Ilia Topuria fight

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW