Alex Volkanovski is ready to get back into action and defend his crown in early 2021 – but not in February like Dana White initially proposed. UFC featherweight champ Volkanovski (22-1) was successful in his first title defence last July against Max Holloway at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. Waiting for the division to shake out, the Australian sat back while Brian Ortega (15-1, one no contest) outclassed “The Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung (16-6) last October making him the clear-cut No 1 contender. A collision course has been established but setting a date is a work in progress. “Conversations with the UFC have sort of slowed down obviously over holiday break,” Volkanovski told SCMP MMA . “They did throw a date at us. Which we said we really want that fight, we definitely want it. Let’s just look at this date here, on this card. That was going to work. “With everything that has happened on this side of the world, especially we are having more cases here, we’re starting to get lockdowns close to where we are. And obviously New Zealand I do my camps there, we just need a little bit of a notice.” Always staying fit and in good nick, the gears are in motion for the 32-year-old Volkanovski to fly over to City Kickboxing, an element that was missing ahead his last fight against Holloway. UFC: Prochazka warns Adesanya of dangers at light heavyweight “We’re working on visas and things like that to get me over to New Zealand as we speak,” Volkanovski said. “We’re doing that right now so when the UFC gives us a date we head over there. “There’s a lot of things you need to get through. So I just need to know about the fight well in advance so I can do my two-week quarantine and then get into camp. “Obviously [2020] been crazy but 2021 hopefully we can change that. The vaccines or whatever it is can make it. I want three fights. March date is looking good. We haven’t heard nothing but March, get me in there.”