Alexander Volkanovski has an opportunity to once again call himself UFC featherweight champion. The former titleholder will take on Diego Lopes for the vacant belt at UFC 314.
Win, lose or draw, though, Volkanovski acknowledged that the fight on April 12 from Miami and the Kaseya Center will be one of the last of his career. Retirement for the 36-year-old is fast approaching following a career that started in 2012.
Related: Ilia Topuria Vacates Title, Bout To Crown New Champ At UFC 314
“I’m expecting to maybe have a couple more, a few more (fights),” he said on The Ariel Helwani Show recently. “We’ll see. I still love it, but how much longer do I want to do this to myself and my body. I do want to eventually sail off into the sunset.”
Volkanovski is coming off a second consecutive knockout loss, as he dropped the featherweight title to Ilia Topuria back in February 2024. Prior to that, he was knocked out via head-kick by Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight belt.
Alexander Volkanovski Is Regarded As One Of The Best Featherweights Ever
During his run to the UFC championship, Volkanovski seemed unbeatable. He dominated the likes of Max Holloway twice, earning a split decision in a third encounter, while also piling up wins over Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ortega.
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But having lost three of his last four, including the two in decisive fashion, Volkanovski recognized that his time is winding down. He ranks among the UFC leaders in the featherweight division in a number of categories including highest striking differential, longest average fight time and win streak.
“I’m here on the arm and I enjoyed the last year,” he said. “it’s been incredible and I was able to grow outside of fighting so much so I’m really looking forward to that. But I want to have won last crack and get really stuck into it. Win that belt, defend it, maybe defend it again or one big fight after a defense, we’ll see. Then maybe I’m done. That’s where we’re at.”
UFC 314 will also feature Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett, Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva and the likes of both Jim Miller and Darren Elkins in action. The featherweight title became vacant with Topuria opted to make the move up to lightweight.
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