Alexander Volkanovski made history in April at UFC 314 by defeating Diego Lopes to become the first UFC champion lighter than the welterweight division to hold gold at age 35 or older. This win also helped him bounce back from back-to-back knockout losses, marking his first victory since 2023. In a recent interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Volkanovski expressed that he hasn’t focused much on reclaiming the title, emphasizing the importance of defying the odds and the support he received. Despite his age of 36, Volkanovski showed no signs of decline in his dominant performance against Lopes at UFC 314, dispelling doubts raised during his career slump.
Volkanovski’s journey from his losses to reclaiming the belt has been fueled by his determination to overcome adversity. He has been open about his mental health struggles and the challenges he faced after his title fight losses. In his post-fight interview, he delivered an inspirational message, stating that “adversity is a privilege.” Volkanovski takes pride in his ability to bounce back from the knockout losses and stay confident despite setbacks. He acknowledges the importance of facing obstacles and being tested during his fights.
Looking ahead, the UFC’s top featherweight contenders are eager to challenge the two-time champion. Volkanovski’s resilience and determination have solidified his position as one of the best in the sport, proving that age is just a number when it comes to achieving success in the octagon.
Volkanovski is open to facing either Yair Rodriguez or the surging Movsar Evloev for his next UFC fight. While he has already defeated Rodriguez in 2023, his top target is Evloev.
“I’ll definitely go again this year,” Volkanovski stated. “As I said, I wanted to try and get straight back into it after UFC 314, but that’s just not allowed, so that’s going to have to wait a little bit.
“People were mentioning Yair Rodriguez straight after the fight, but I have been focused on Movsar throughout the camp. He deserves the opportunity with his undefeated record and the quality of opponents he has faced.
“I don’t want to deny Yair the chance if it comes up, as I have respect for him. However, I am drawn to the challenge of facing an undefeated fighter like Evloev. It would be a significant achievement for my legacy to hand him his first loss, especially considering the age gap between us.”