Alexander Volkanovski Hints at Potential Retirement If UFC 333 Title Defense Goes “Terribly Wrong”

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski may be heading into the final fight of his career at UFC 333.

Alexander Volkanovski Hints at Potential Retirement If UFC 333 Title Defense Goes “Terribly Wrong”

Alexander Volkanovski lays out potential retirement plan (via SportRush)

Alexander Volkanovski has built a legendary legacy through championship success and longevity. He won the title in 2019 and made five defenses during his first reign. He holds eight UFC featherweight title fight wins, tying Jose Aldo‘s record. Volkanovski joined the UFC in 2016 and remains an elite featherweight nearly 10 years later.

Volkanovski began his second featherweight title reign in April 2025 after defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314. The Australian was expected to face another contender next, but instead accepted an immediate rematch with Lopes. Volkanovski then defeated him again by unanimous decision in the UFC 325 main event.

The champion is now set to make his second title defense against Russian phenom Movsar Evloev in UFC 333’s main event. The undefeated contender presents a younger, dangerous challenge, with a perfect 20-0 record. With his career entering its later stages, Volkanovski has said a bad outcome could convince him to retire.

If things go terrible wrong, alright we’re done. If things go very well, like the last one no damage, alright we’ll keep it rolling. Taking each fight as it goes. I’m just trying to be real with it. But I don’t have plans on retiring right now. I’m pretty sure we are gonna keep going.

Alexander Volkanovski via 10 News AU

Interestingly, Volkanovski has faced multiple setbacks in recent years, including two brutal knockout losses. Islam Makhachev handed him the first knockout loss of his UFC career with a head kick at UFC 294. He then suffered another knockout against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, which remains his first and only UFC featherweight loss.

‘Volk’ has reflected on retirement multiple times throughout the later stages of his career. Fans doubted him after his knockout loss to Topuria, but he silenced those doubts by becoming a two-time champion at UFC 314. Now 38, retirement questions loom larger over the Australian’s future as another difficult title defense approaches.

Volkanovski has welcomed the challenge of facing younger and dangerous contenders. He previously questioned the UFC’s decision to book another Lopes fight while Evloev and Lerone Murphy stood as clear contenders. However, Volkanovski later acknowledged the Lopes rematch was made because it drew more fan attention.

The 145-pound champion has previously discussed a difficult period with alcohol after hand surgery before his UFC 294 rematch with Islam Makhachev. He revealed drinking daily for three to four weeks while training less, calling the habit unusual for him. Volk later eliminated alcohol during his UFC 314 training camp.

Alexander Volkanovski has also dealt with mental health struggles during his career, adding another layer to his remarkable resilience. Those challenges have accompanied major setbacks and comebacks throughout his journey. Now, UFC 333 against Movsar Evloev presents another major test, and his future may depend on the outcome.

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Alexander Volkanovski revisits how Islam Makhachev won over his daughter

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski fought twice for the UFC lightweight title. The Dagstani star won at UFC 284 by unanimous decision after Volkanovski moved up from featherweight. They rematched at UFC 294, where Makhachev stopped ‘The Great’ at 3:06 of round one with a head kick.

After UFC 294, Volkanovski was spending time with his daughter, Airlie Volkanovski. She asked what would happen if a robber broke into their house. Volkanovski assured her that he was a UFC champion and could handle the situation. Airlie then hilariously reminded her father about his loss to Makhachev.

Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev (via BBC)

After hearing about the incident, Makhachev responded with a heartwarming gesture toward Volk’s daughter. The Dagestani star sent Airlie multiple toys after learning about her fear.

Interestingly, years after the incident, the Australian star has now revealed how the gesture eventually changed Airlie’s view of Makhachev following their father’s rivalry.

She absolutely loves you now, because you gave her the gifts.

Alexander Volkanovski via Main Event TV

The gesture highlighted the respect between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski despite their fierce rivalry inside the Octagon.

Makhachev has also spoken highly of Volkanovski since their two fights. Their rivalry ultimately developed into mutual respect between two elite UFC champions.

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