The win at UFC 221 was his fourth in the UFC and his first by stoppage, while handing Kennedy his first defeat as a pro.

Volkanovski looked close to earning the TKO win in the opening round after taking Kennedy down and keeping him there with relentless ground and pound.

The bell saved Kennedy, but he was taken down just 30 seconds into the second round with referee Mark Goddard calling a halt to the fight with 20 seconds left in the round.

“We were both 3-0, we’re both grinders, nobody wants to fight grinders, I just knew I was a bad match-up for him,” Volkanovski said post-fight.

“I was prepared to get taken down a couple times… but every time I get in there, no matter how strong I think these opponents are, they’re never as strong as me and I always prove it in the ring.”

Volkanovski also used his post-fight interview to issue a challenge the division’s “bad boys.”

“I said from day one, I’m not happy to just be in the UFC, I’m going to the top and I’m taking this title eventually,” he said.

“I want these top dogs. Nobody’s calling me out but I’m the strongest guy in this division. I want one of these guys that like to talk.

“[Andre} Touchy Fili, I know Urijah [Faber] is here somewhere, maybe one of his boys, Jeremy Stevens, all these guys that like to talk.

“I’m a good guy, I take pride in that, I want these bad boys, I want these bullies bring them on.”