Alexander Volkanovski believes his time in MMA is limited.
This April, Volkanovski is set to face Diego Lopes for the featherweight title at UFC 314. This opportunity arose after Ilia Topuria, his previous opponent, vacated the belt to move to the lightweight division. This fight marks Volkanovski’s return to the octagon since losing his title to Topuria, and the 36-year-old suggests it could be among his final matches.
“I’m unsure about how much longer I will continue in this sport,” Volkanovski stated on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I probably have a few more years in me. My current thought is to win back the belt, defend it, and then possibly retire. Even upon winning, I consider if it’s time to stop. I question how much longer I want to put myself through this. Maintaining my level is incredibly demanding and painful. It requires immense hard work to remain elite, and I accept nothing less. It’s not easy.”
“So, I anticipate maybe a couple more fights, perhaps a few. We will see. I might say now that I’ll have a fight and love it so much I’ll want seven more! But realistically, how much longer? I still love it, but I need to consider the toll on my body. Eventually, I want to retire gracefully.”
Volkanovski is already widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweight fighters in history. He held the featherweight title from 2019 to 2024, successfully defending it five times. As a future UFC Hall of Famer, Volkanovski is aiming for one final impactful chapter in his distinguished career.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back in there and giving it my all,” Volkanovski said. “I want to win that belt, defend it, maybe defend it again, and perhaps have one significant fight after a defense. Then, maybe I’ll be done. That’s my current perspective. But I aim to be active as soon as I reclaim the belt. When I get it back, I want to immediately plan the next fight. Movsar Evloev, are you ready? Let’s do it soon after, I’m ready. That’s my intention.”
While his current plan involves only a few more fights, Volkanovski acknowledges that plans can change. For now, he envisions a short remaining career, but he admits that reminding everyone of his greatness could lead to a reconsideration.
“That timeline could change,” Volkanovski said regarding his retirement. “I could win, and I definitely want to defend the title quickly. I want to remind everyone, ‘Volk’s back. He’s here and challenging undefeated fighters, telling them let’s go!’ I want to be the one pushing these guys into the octagon, urging them to hurry up. I want people to remember that, and then we’ll assess the situation afterward.”
UFC 314 is scheduled for April 12 in Miami.
