Clutching his featherweight title belt in a potentially broken hand, Alex Volkanovski was dreaming big as he returned to Sydney and vowed to start a legacy as the first Australian-born UFC champion.
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Volkanovski's immediate priority is family time and to seek further medical advice on the hand injury he suffered while defeating Max Holloway in Las Vegas.
The former concreter from the NSW south coast wouldn't rule out shifting weight divisions but made it clear on Tuesday he didn't "want to be like" Conor McGregor and fail to defend his belt.
Volkanovski, who landed 172 significant strikes at the weekend to win via unanimous decision, is expected to start his title defence in Sydney with a rematch against Holloway.
"I'd love to defend it in Australia but right now I'm not really thinking about dates. I need to get my hand checked out, there's a good chance that might be broken," Volkanovski told reporters.
"I felt it during the fight. It was maybe the second or third round, obviously it hurt.
"I'm a little bit sore but mainly from kicking him, my shins and feet (hurt).
"I'm looking to be one of the GOATs ... I need to win for my family but I'm building a legacy while I'm doing that."
UFC president Dana White has already suggested Volkanovski's next fight should take place in the growing market of Australia, well aware that Melbourne's Marvel Stadium has attracted the two biggest crowds in the promotion's history.
Bankwest Stadium and Qudos Bank Arena have already been floated as potential venues.
A rematch with Holloway, who criticised judges for scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 50-45 in Volkanovski's favor, looms large but the champion hinted it was no fait accompli.
"A lot of people said it was a bit of a whitewash. Does he deserve a rematch? We don't know. I'm game to fight whoever," he said.
"I watched back the tape and I'm like 'far out, I've won pretty comfortably'.
"A lot of people were dirty on the fact that two judges scored it (48-47)."
Volkanovski admitted a shift to the lightweight division was attractive but added "featherweight is my division and all I have my eyes on at the moment".
"I reckon I'll be the GOAT of my division very soon. To do that, you need to defend your division. I'm sick of people (switching before defending their title) ... obviously Conor has done that," he said.
"But if people want to throw money fights at me. If people are throwing serious money at me, I'm going to take it."
Australian Associated Press
