Alexander Volkanovski Trains with Aljamain Sterling in Thailand

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is gearing up for a potential rematch against current champion Ilia Topuria. While no official announcement has been made, Volkanovski has begun his training camp in Phuket, Thailand.

Over the weekend, Volkanovski shared a behind-the-scenes video of his training, which included footage of him working with former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Volkanovski expressed his excitement about the high-quality training partners available at the Bangtao facility, including grappling expert Craig Jones.

Sterling, who is also pursuing the featherweight title, welcomed the opportunity to train with Volkanovski, describing it as a “cool experience” to work with one of the greatest fighters in the division’s history. The two champions had overlapping title reigns, with Volkanovski holding the featherweight belt from 2019 to 2024 and Sterling holding the bantamweight title from 2021 to 2023.

While not officially confirmed, rumors suggest that the UFC is targeting UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami for the rematch between Volkanovski and Topuria. As both fighters prepare for this potential bout, the MMA community eagerly awaits an official announcement.

This training collaboration between Volkanovski and Sterling highlights the camaraderie and mutual respect among top fighters in the sport, even as they compete for the same championship goals. As the featherweight division continues to evolve, fans can expect intense competition and high-level performances from these elite athletes.