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Alexander Volkanovsky Despite what many fans think, it appears that he has no intentions of retiring after his next fight.
It was announced in November that Volkanovski will defend him ufc Featherweight title against Diego Lopez in January Fighting on home soil in Australia,
Volkanovski is now 37 years old, and with the anticipation of fighting in front of home fans, many UFC followers have predicted that this fight will be “Alexander the Great’s” last fight.
However, Volkanovski has rejected the idea, saying 10 news australia: “I’m seeing [retirement rumours] Everywhere too, I don’t know where it comes from.
“No, this is not planned to be my last fight. You don’t really have to worry about it. I guess you’ll take it as it goes from here, but that’s definitely not the plan.”
Volkanovski continued to talk about potential title challengers behind Lopez, as he also did in an interview Sports News.
He said he thinks Movser Ivloev and Leron Murphy are more qualified than Lopez, especially given Volkanovski’s last fight was a decision win over the Brazilian in April.And he’ll be eager to face whoever the next guy is.
“I called Movsar immediately after the fight [with Lopes]Volkanovski told sports news“Then I knew he was going to fight [Aaron Pico]Then he took it out. I knew he probably meant to postpone, and then he didn’t take it. I say: ‘Okay, your opportunity goes.’
“So, it didn’t take me long to figure out [fight with Evloev] Will not done. That’s the thing, dude: I feel for him in a way, where I know he definitely deserved it – that’s why I called him out – but I totally understand how this game works. You can’t be that guy.
“You have to be a guy who is willing to fight anyone, anywhere, with his hand raised. and leron did itHe fought a guy on short notice in Pico, ended up in a big fight, So I thought it would be him in December,
“Then I knew the UFC was waiting for Jean Silva and Diego, so I said: ‘Maybe it’ll be one of these guys, let’s see what happens, let’s see if it’ll be a fun fight.’ And it was, and that’s where they went with it.”
Volkanovski was mentioned Murphy defeated Pico in Augustand Lopez’s KO of Silva in September. Notably, both finishes came via spinning back elbow, but Lopez was the fighter chosen to face Volkanovski next.
“It doesn’t matter,” Volkanovski continued. “We’ll see what happens, whether Movsar and Leron fight someone or fight each other, prove themselves. And then I’ll fight them straight away.
“So, don’t worry. If they retreat, fight another battle – or wait, whatever, they won’t miss their opportunity. But I don’t think waiting is a good idea. Like I said, take your chances like Lopez did, and then you’ll be right here.”
Volkanovski’s victory over Lopez made the Australian a two-time featherweight champion. He previously held the belt from 2019 to 2024 and recorded five successful title defenses before winning the gold from Ilya Topuria.
Topuria, who defeated Volkanovski to become champion, vacated the belt in February this year and moved up to lightweight. There, he won another title, while Volkanovski reclaimed the featherweight throne in the meantime.
Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 will be the main match of UFC 325 on January 31 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.