The UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, revealed that he was on the brink of retirement heading into his rematch against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 on January 31. In a candid admission, the Australian fighter noted that a defeat that night could have marked the end of his illustrious career.
Fortunately for Volkanovski, the outcome was favorable, and he is now looking ahead to continue his journey in the octagon, signaling his eagerness to take on the top contenders in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions. His ambition to conquer the 155-pound class remains a key focus as he previously faced and lost to Islam Makhachev twice.
After successfully defending his title three to four times in the 145-pound category, Volkanovski is keen for another opportunity to challenge for the lightweight title. Current developments suggest that the upcoming bout between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy could determine who will be the next title challenger.
In a recent interview with former champion Demetrius Johnson, Volkanovski discussed his mindset regarding retirement, emphasizing that a poor performance against Lopes could have prompted him to hang up his gloves. “If I took a heap of damage in this fight, maybe I would have laid down the gloves. But now I’m in a good position. I did get a new contract as well, which was great,” he explained.
With this new contract and his victorious performance still fresh in mind, Volkanovski’s dedication to the sport and readiness to challenge himself further is inspiring. As he steers through the competitive landscape, fans can expect exciting matchups ahead as the champion solidifies his legacy in the UFC.