In a bold revelation, UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski has outlined his intentions to compete a handful more times before ultimately hanging up the gloves. Following Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate his featherweight title, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) is set to face Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in a pivotal championship bout at UFC 314, which will occur on April 12 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Volkanovski’s anticipation is palpable; he sees this as a chance to reclaim his place atop the featherweight division, especially after enduring a challenging period marked by back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Topuria.
While contemplating retirement may seem like a typical scenario for athletes after significant setbacks, Volkanovski’s reflections provide deeper insight into his psyche. When he took time off following his losses, the idea of retirement was daunting but inevitable. It is during these introspective moments that he assessed his journey, both inside and outside the octagon. He shared candidly during “The Ariel Helwani Show,” admitting that the temptation to retire and sail off into the sunset lingered over him. This duality—his longing for a restful exit juxtaposed against his enduring love for the sport—paints a compelling portrait of a fighter at a crucial juncture in his career.
Despite these uncertainties, Volkanovski is seizing the moment. With a renewed perspective, he has laid out what he envisions as the final chapters of his fighting career. He is not simply looking to end on a whimper; instead, he seeks to fiercely reclaim the featherweight title, defend it, and possibly engage in more significant matchups before deciding on retirement. The phrase “give me another seven!” reflects his unwavering passion for fighting, but it also reveals his internal struggle to find balance between ambition and well-being.
Interestingly, Volkanovski is keen on leaving no stone unturned. He expressed his anticipation of potentially facing Movsar Evloev after Lopes, which suggests that his competitive spirit is intact and thriving. He stated assertively that he plans to reclaim the title and issue a challenge to Evloev shortly thereafter. His eagerness to maintain momentum—“Let’s get straight back into it, let’s not waste any time”—highlights his commitment to actively engaging in high-stakes bouts, illustrating that for him, every fight is not just a battle, but also part of a broader legacy to be crafted.
The Legacy of a Fighter
As Volkanovski embarks on this new chapter, the athlete’s contemplation of retirement brings forth questions not just about his future, but about what legacy he wishes to leave behind. Balancing his drive for competition with personal fulfillment outside of the sport has become a theme in his narrative. Participating in a few more fights, and potentially walking away with a triumphant title defense, may well set the stage for Volkanovski to be remembered not only as a champion but as a fighter who articulated the struggles and triumphs of a dedicated athlete grappling with his own mortality in the sport. As he prepares for UFC 314, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, eager to see if Volkanovski’s ambitions materialize into victory.