UFC Superstar Alexander Volkanovski Reveals His Retirement is Coming Soon
February 26, 2025
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Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to return to action to once again challenge for the featherweight title against Diego Lopes at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025. The superstar last competed at UFC 294 in Feb. 2024, suffering a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria.
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The initial thought was that Volkanovski was set to remain at lightweight to potentially challenge Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, and many of the other upper-echelon fighters in that division. However, UFC President Dana White dropped major news that Topuria was vacating the featherweight title to move up to lightweight instead.
The shocking move by Topuria left the door open for Volkanovski to return to featherweight for an immediate title fight against Lopes. Now, the Austrilian-born star has opened up about the featherweight division shakeup and revealed when he plans to retire.
Volkanovki joined “The Ariel Helwani” show to discuss his upcoming title fight, potentially facing Topuria again down the line and a proposed fight against newly-signed Patricio Pitbull.
Pitbull is taking on Yair Rodriguez in his first UFC appearance, which takes place on the same UFC 314 card as Volkanovski. Helwani asks Volkanovski if he would be interested in fighting Pitbull down the line.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Alexander Volkanovski of Australia prepares to face Ilia Topuria in their featherweight title fight during UFC 298 at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Alexander Volkanovski of Australia prepares to face Ilia Topuria in their featherweight title fight during UFC 298 at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
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“I mean, yeah. I’ve thought about that. There were so many years where he was calling me out, but I was busy doing my thing with the UFC. I think him moving to the UFC is a great thing, I think he will be good for the division … for me, I want a quick turnaround … if there is a lot of hype around him cause he had a massive win and another massive win, that might make me hang around a little bit longer, or the Ilia fight. I know that I have a couple more left in me, or even a few more … I’m trying to be realistic about that.”
Though the initial conversation was about the potential to face Pitbull, Volkanovski jumps right into stating when he plans to retire. He revealed that he wants a quick turnaround of two fights in 2025.
Should he win the title in April, he would likely defend it in the fall at some point. Even if he doesn’t win the title, it would be believed he would fight one more time, whether that its in the featherweight or lightweight division remains to be seen.
Volkanovski has been in the UFC since 2016 and has been competing professionally in MMA since 2012. He is one of the most decorated champions the organization has ever seen, defending his featherweight title five times, and being involved in nine title fights with the UFC.
The good news is that Volkanovski plans to fight at least two more times, but the bad news is there appears to be a fast-approaching expiration on his fighting career.
More MMA:
Paddy Pimblett On Ilia Topuria’s Lightweight Move: ‘It’s a Big Mistake’
Dustin Poirier Says ‘Respectful’ Ilia Topuria Deserves Immediate UFC Lightweight Title Shot
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