Once considered one of the most dominant featherweights of all time, Alexander Volkanovski has recently found himself in a slump.
The 36-year-old Australian fighter carved out an impressive legacy in the featherweight division, defeating elite opponents including former BMF champion Max Holloway. For years, Volkanovski was nearly untouchable inside the Octagon. But a pair of tough back-to-back losses have raised questions among fans: does Volk still have what it takes?
The first of those defeats came in the form of a knockout loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Soon after, he lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. The setbacks marked a shift but Volkanovski remains unfazed. He understands the doubts, especially given his age, but he’s not ready to let go of his legacy just yet.
“Look, I think a lot of people are going to look at [those losses] and say it was a bad run, and they’ll point to skill or whatever else,” Volkanovski said on First Take this Tuesday. “It was a short-notice fight that I took [against Makhachev]. I wanted to take a high-risk, high-reward fight. I was ready to take it on and thought I could get it done. Didn’t go that way. Quick turnaround, and I got caught again [by Topuria].
“But a lot of people are going to look at that and say, ‘He’s done,’ and they have every right to think that. But for me,the guy showing up to the gym, seeing what I’m seeing in preparation—I know I’m not done. And there’s only one way to change everyone’s opinion: go out there this weekend and remind everybody. That’s exactly what I plan on doing.”
After those two tough losses, Volkanovski took a much-needed year off not just to recover, but to rebuild. And despite the break, he insists he hasn’t been resting on his laurels. He’s been training hard, staying sharp, and preparing to take on rising contender Diego Lopes in his comeback fight.
“Preparation’s where you know you’ve still got it,” Volkanovski said. “A lot of people will look at those last two fights and say, ‘He’s done.’ But I’m in the gym knowing I’m not. My training partners see it too. Now, it’s just about showing everyone else and that’s the beauty of it.
“People forget fast, but that’s also what makes this game so great. People can be reminded just as quickly and that’s exactly what’s going to happen this weekend.”
Volkanovski is confident he can handle Lopes, but there’s still a lingering desire to run it back with Topuria and redeem himself.
“I’d love a shot at redemption,” he admitted. “But for now, my focus is on Lopes. I’m coming to prove a point to the fans, to myself, and to everyone who thinks I’m past my prime.”
Though slightly disappointed that a Topuria rematch isn’t on the immediate horizon, Volk is laser-focused on delivering a performance that leaves no doubt.
“He’s a very aggressive fighter, but I’m going to capitalize on that. It’s not just going to be a finish it’s going to be one of the greatest comebacks you’ve ever seen,” Volkanovski declared on UFC Countdown. “UFC 314 you’re going to see the dominant Volk you’re used to. I’m bringing the belt back to Australia, and I’m going to defend it.”
