Alexander Volkanovski cannot be denied.
Since regaining the main title in April 2025, Volkanovski has defended it twice, bringing his total title fights to nine — a new all-time record for the UFC’s featherweight division, surpassing the legendary José Aldo. UFC 333 on Saturday was the final chapter in Volkanovski’s legacy, with a second-round knockout of the star over previously undefeated top contender, Movsar Evloev.
Advertisement
While Volkanovski is already widely considered one of the sport’s all-time greats, UFC CEO Dana White couldn’t praise the 38-year-old featherweight king pin enough when speaking to reporters at the UFC 333 post-fight press conference.
“Unbelievable. That guy is absolutely unstoppable. He comes in and beats the undefeated junior [contender] – and the guy’s built like a [truck]. Volkanovski is incredible,” White said.
“He was an aggressive fighter. He was the one really behind the scenes [Evloev] and he’s trying to finish, and he’s just – he’s built a different f*** for this one.”
Volkanovski, 38, was and is in the thin division. Although he failed in his previous two bids for lightweight gold against Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski spoke before Saturday’s bout with Evloev about possibly returning to 155 pounds for one more try.
Advertisement
After beating Evloev, White is poised to give his legendary claimant whatever he wants next, which could mean a dance-off with lightweight title holder Justin Gaethje.
“When you’ve done what he’s done, we’re not going to say much with him,” White said of Volkanovski. “So we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
It was not surprising to hear Volkanovski later respond positively to White’s comments in the press. But he took it a step further – by placing himself in the running line.
Volkanovski admits he’s struggling with his fighting career at this stage, saying the previous loss probably prompted him to call it an end to his 15-year career. If Gaethje wins the fight, the envelope will call it a performance.
Advertisement
“I’m an honest person, and I want to be beautiful, a lot of the time, I’m like,” “I don’t want to hold divisions,” said Volkanovski. “But I believe that this can be done, and the division does not hold. Whether you and our fights are cut off and put on the line, that would be cool – a little superfight of 38-year-olds go to it, then we will leave everything and the chicken chicks as it is.
“That’s what I’d give up. If they ever wanted to give me a chance, win or lose, I’d withdraw; then I’m free, so I don’t hold the division. Then you keep everybody fighting anyway. Otherwise, I’m just taking each fight as I go.”