Clues for Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Title Defense Dropped After Manager’s Cryptic Post

The return of Alexander Volkanovski for another title defense looks likely for the last quarter of 2026 after major revelations.

Clues for Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Title Defense Dropped After Manager’s Cryptic Post

Alexander Volkanovski expected to return later this year (Image via Live at Your Local)

During the broadcast of UFC Abu Dhabi this past weekend, the promotion announced official plans to return to the Middle East later this year. UFC 333 will take place on October 24, 2026.

As such, a major title fight is likely to happen on that card. All clues point towards UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski headlining that card.

The promotion always try to book fighters of Muslim background in either the co-main event or main event spot during its visit to Abu Dhabi. UFC 294 saw Islam Makhachev take on Volkanovski in the main event. UFC 308 saw Khamzat Chimaev as a co-main event attraction against Robert Whittaker.

In 2026, Volkanovski defended his title at UFC 325 against Diego Lopes, and is eagerly awaiting his matchup. Clues from the manager of top ranked featherweight contender, Movsar Evloev, suggest that Volk’s next title defense will most likely happen at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.

Evloev has a 10-fight winning streak in the UFC, but has 0 finishes to go along with it. That is why Dana White and the UFC brass has not given him the title shot yet. This was also why he was overlooked for Lopes at UFC 325.

The Russian fighter has wins over ranked fighters such as Lopes, Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Lerone Murphy. Majority of the fan base has not completely bought into the hype of Evloev due to two reasons. One is that he doesn’t have finishes in his UFC career, and the second reason is having extremely close fights against Sterling and Allen, which could have gone either way.

Meanwhile, Volkanovski isn’t getting any younger. He has advocated for Evloev as the next title contender previously as well. With manager Ali Abdelaziz teasing title fight news, Dana White will likely announce the bout in the coming weeks.

If booked for UFC 333, it becomes an important bout in the featherweight division. On one hand, Volk gets the chance to elevate his legacy by defeating the undefeated Movsar Evloev. Meanwhile, Evloev can improve his standing among the fan base by convincingly dethroning the reigning champion. The stakes couldn’t be higher in the featherweight division at the moment.

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Alexander Volkanovski could eye the lightweight title again with one more 145lbs title defense

Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski had two chances to become a double champion in the UFC. Both came against Islam Makhachev in 2023. Now, three years later, Volk has cleaned out the featherweight division except for Evloev, whom he has called out multiple times.

Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski (via X)

If the Australian MMA legend can successfully defend his title against Evloev this year, opportunities for another double-champ dream will likely present itself. To that end, Volkanovski indicated his openness to facing current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje to fulfil that dream.

Do I go up? People ask me, ‘Would you do it?’, of course I would do it… I’m gonna call for it when I feel like I deserve it, and you’ve seen when I was defending my belt five times before I asked for the double champ and then had the fight with Islam… But if the UFC was to offer it, of course. To see two 38-year-old fellas go at it in the lightweight division, 100% of course I would.

Alexander Volkanovski said on his YT Channel

Gaethje has talked about not granting rematches to Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria for his first lightweight title defense. He also spoke about taking a break till next year.

By that time, Volk could become a potential opponent if he can win the rumored title fight at UFC 333. That would present the promotion with another exciting fight as the clash of styles between Volk and Gaethje will remain something of a dream for MMA fans.

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