ABU DHABI – How does the UFC say no to Alexander Volkanovski?

That’s the question Dana White asked the media after Saturday’s UFC 308 at the Etihad Arena.

Of course, White is talking about the next title challenger for UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who further cemented his stardom with a huge knockout of Max Holloway in the card’s main event.

After the fight, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) was brought into the cage as UFC commentator Daniel Cormier interviewed Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC). The move is not always made by the promotion, but is usually indicative of future plans if it does occur.

“Volkanovski is one of those guys,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight press conference. “We are not going to say no to Volkanovski.”

The top two featherweights clashed in February and Topuria won by knockout. Volkanovski has not fought since and is currently in a two-fight fight, having previously been knocked out in a lightweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev.

While other top contenders, such as UFC 308 backup fighter Diego Lopes, have emerged in the title conversation, White indicated that Volkanovski’s past as a company man, willing to bail the promotion out of tough situations, has pushed the UFC in his favor.

“He’s always been that guy for us when we needed him,” White said. “He is on the run like (Israel) Adesanya and like Alex (Pereira) is now. When things don’t go our way and you need to call a man, Volkanovski has always been that man. He really was. If he asks, I don’t think anyone in this room is going to say, ‘Oh, this is ridiculous’ or crazy. Who wouldn’t want to see it again?”

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s events hub for UFC 308.