UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski undergoes arm surgery, expects six weeks of rehab

Alexander Volkanovski has undergone surgery and is en route to recovery.

The UFC featherweight champion had surgery on his left arm on Monday and will now have to go through six weeks of rehab before he can return to full contact training. MMA Junkie confirmed with Volkanovski’s management, followed by a report from Ariel Helwani. Volkanovski also posted a video to his Instagram Stories showing off his bandaged arm.

This, of course, is no surprise as Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) had mentioned in the UFC 290 post-fight press conference, following his TKO win over Yair Rodriguez earlier this month, that he was in need of minor surgery on a nagging injury.

“It’s not a big deal. I’ll be back ASAP,” Volkanovski said at the UFC 290 post-fight press conference. “It will be a quick one. I just need to get something sorted, but I’ll be training. I broke my hand last International Fight Week, and you’ll see me ready to fight in Abu Dhabi to fight Islam or Charles Oliveira. This ain’t a broken bone. We’ll be alright. I’ll be training. I want to be active.”

The 34-year-old has made it clear that he wants a rematch with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The two fought back in February in the main event of UFC 284 in Australia, where Makhachev won a tightly contested unanimous decision. UFC president Dana White said that he would be open to making the rematch.

Makhachev is expected to defend his title on Oct. 24 in the main event of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. He has yet to receive an official opponent. It’s unclear if Volkanovski would be fit or open to fight at that date, given his rehab is expected to finalize at the end of August.