Alexander Volkanovski has finally broken his silence on the swirling speculation surrounding his future in the UFC, addressing everything from his highly anticipated Australian homecoming to the persistent retirement chatter and even the blockbuster matchup he secretly desires. With the featherweight champion set to defend his title against Brazilian contender Diego Lopes at UFC 325 in Sydney on February 1, the Australian superstar insists he remains fully committed to competing at the highest level — though he admits the internal debate about how much longer he will continue has definitely begun.
The UFC’s official confirmation, delivered by company president Dana White, immediately shocked fans and pundits, many of whom believed Lerone Murphy or Movsar Evloev had earned the next featherweight title shot. Yet Volkanovski, who reclaimed the vacant belt from Lopes back in April, understands the decision and even supports the UFC’s reasoning. He recognises Lopes as a fighter who embodies the same mindset that helped propel him to greatness: accepting every challenge, every time, without hesitation.
“Yeah, look, immediately after it was announced, I put out a short video and you could probably tell I was surprised. I thought it was definitely going to be Lerone Murphy. But in saying that, I can also see where the UFC is going with Diego Lopes too. Or at least, I see it both ways,” he explained. “Because while I’ve always been about rankings and so on, I’m also the guy who is a big believer in taking opportunities. Never saying ‘no’. Because I understand as well as anyone how you’ll get rewarded for that too. You know the fights I’ve taken. And there are opportunities that come with that. So that’s why I’m not surprised it’s Lopes. I know it’s how the UFC works and I’m a big believer in it myself.”
Volkanovski has watched Lopes rise rapidly through the division, fuelled by a reputation for accepting fights that others turned down. “With Diego, I’m not sure of the full story. But I’ve heard the UFC were throwing names at him and he kept saying ‘yes’ – whoever, whenever – but maybe some were declining him,” he said. “He was also meant to fight Yair Rodriguez, that didn’t happen. And I know Diego is the type of guy who will fight anyone. And when you’re that type of guy, opportunities come. And this fight between us, it’s going to be massive. I think people are going to appreciate our fight. It’s also the first time I’ve ever been able to defend my belt in Australia too. It’s huge.”
Yet swirling around this monumental home title defence is a major talking point — that the Sydney bout could be Volkanovski’s final fight in the UFC. At 37, one of the greatest fighters in MMA history is not immune to retirement speculation, but he insists none of it originated from him.
“[Laughs] Mate, I’ve got no idea where this one is coming from. Maybe somebody put something out and everyone else has run with it. But I’ve never said anything …”
The truth, as he puts it, is far more complicated. Volkanovski admits that some days in camp make him question the future, while on others he feels unstoppable. “That’s a good question. Because right now, I’ve got no idea what I’m going to say after this fight. I really don’t. Already, there have been days in camp where I’ve been asking myself ‘man, how much longer do you want to do this for?’. Then other days, I’m saying how I’ll win and go straight back into another fight. So you never know.”
He denies this will be a retirement fight, though he jokingly acknowledges that playing into the narrative wouldn’t hurt ticket sales or hype. “Obviously too, people aren’t silly. They know retirement can’t be too far away because I’m 37. But I can say right now there aren’t any plans to say it’s over after this one. There’s no plans of this being my retirement fight.”
Still, at this stage of his career, the featherweight icon is more mindful than ever about what comes next. And when the topic turns to a potential rematch with UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria — the man who brutally knocked him out to take the 145-pound title — Volkanovski does not hesitate. “Oh, if that fight gets offered to me by the UFC, I will definitely take it. One hundred per cent,” he said. “But do I call for it? No. Not right now. Because I’ve always believed in people having to deserve fights.”
For Volkanovski, a statement performance in Sydney could be the catalyst for another rise to lightweight contention. “Mate, you never know. I definitely plan on going out there and doing much better than last time. Much better. And it starts in Sydney. I feel I can go out there against Diego and get this done in wild fashion, really set the stage.”
He is adamant that a rematch with Topuria would look drastically different from their first encounter, given the long break he took afterwards to prioritise recovery. “It definitely goes different,” he said. He reflects on how the quick turnaround after the Makhachev concussion may have impacted him, admitting he underestimated the toll. “Then afterwards, I went ‘OK, we need to get things right’. So I had that big break and it’s why I definitely think things would be different the second time around.”
Looking further into the future, he also praises contenders like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, though he lists Evloev as the most deserving should he retain the featherweight title. But he also acknowledges the realities fighters face when bouts fall through. “Look, Movsar is undefeated. But in saying that, he was meant to fight and didn’t do it. There were injuries, then they tried to get him to fight again, didn’t happen. And we all know that doesn’t end well for fighters. So that’s put him in this position where he’s on the sidelines a bit longer.”
Volkanovski still has several fights left on his UFC contract, though he openly admits that contract length may not determine how long he keeps going. It will come down to his health, his training camps, and his internal fire. “But right now, I feel great so it’s nothing that I’m too fussed about.”
As he prepares for an emotional Sydney return, the Australian icon understands exactly where he stands in the sport — a champion nearing the twilight, but still with enough hunger to create more history before hanging up the gloves. Whether his next chapter includes a blockbuster rematch with Topuria or a final run of fights on home soil, Volkanovski remains as driven as ever.
