UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is openly considering retirement after his upcoming title defense at UFC 333. This shocking revelation puts everything on the line for his Oct. 24 bout against the undefeated Movsar Evloev at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With Volkanovski turning 38 on Sept. 29, his future in the octagon is suddenly a huge question mark, and it all comes down to how this fight plays out.
One Fight, Two Paths
Volkanovski laid out the stark reality in an interview with Australia’s 10 News. “If things go terribly wrong, all right, we’re done,” he admitted, pulling no punches about the high stakes. But it’s not just a bad night that could end his career. He also said, “If things go very well like the last one, no damage, go through, all right, we’ll keep it rolling.” So, a flawless victory, or a devastating loss, could both impact his decision. It’s a true make-or-break moment for one of the sport’s greats.
Back from the Brink, But For How Long?
This isn’t Volkanovski’s first rodeo with career questions. He’s in his second reign as the 145-pound champion, a huge feat. During his first title run, he defended the belt five times. But then came the consecutive knockout losses: first, Islam Makhachev stopped him with a head kick and punches in a lightweight title fight, then Ilia Topuria knocked him out with a punch in February 2024. Many wondered if his time was up. But Topuria vacated the featherweight title, and Volkanovski stormed back, defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314 to reclaim the belt. He then successfully defended it against Lopes in their rematch at UFC 325 this past February. Now, he faces a monumental challenge in Evloev, who boasts a perfect 20-0 overall record and a 10-0 run in the UFC.
Volkanovski says he’s “taking each fight as it goes” and “trying to be real with it,” but also made it clear, “I don’t have plans of retiring right now.” That said, the stage is set for UFC 333 on Oct. 24, where Volkanovski will seek his second title defense against a relentless, undefeated opponent. This isn’t just a title fight; it could be the champ’s final stand. You absolutely do not want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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