From the brink of retirement to reclaiming UFC gold, Alexander Volkanovski’s journey came full circle at UFC 314. Just a year ago, the Aussie found himself at a career crossroads. Once the dominant featherweight king with a 22-fight win streak and five successful title defenses, ‘The Great’ suddenly hit turbulent waters. He suffered back-to-back losses to Islam Makhachev at 155lbs, then endured a crushing knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria, losing his 145lbs belt and prompting many to question whether his reign had truly come to an end. However, how champions respond to adversity ultimately defines them, and Volkanovski delivered in style.
With the mantra “adversity is a privilege” fueling his comeback, the Aussie put on a clinical performance against the surging Diego Lopes. Over five hard-fought rounds, Volk reclaimed the featherweight title, while also shattering a few infamous narratives in the process, including the ‘Drake Curse’ and the dreaded ‘over 35’ curse that has haunted aging fighters. Moreover, the new featherweight king isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon.
Instead of opting for an easy title defense, the 35-year-old immediately set his sights on undefeated contender Movsar Evloev, making his intentions crystal clear: “Obviously, you’ve got guys like Movsar, who’s undefeated. I’d love to take that zero.” Naturally, the bold callout sparked immediate buzz across the MMA world. The Aussie juggernaut’s continued hunger for elite competition resonated with fans—and, in turn, earned praise from former middleweight champion and current UFC commentator Michael Bisping.
“This is why you’ve got to respect Alexander Volkanovski,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Because that’s the fight he’s calling for. He’s not looking for easy matchups. He wants to be active. He wants to get back in there. And he wants to capitalize on being the champion, earn as much money as possible, and fight again before he gets too much older. But most importantly, he wants the toughest fight. And Movsar Evloev is not an easy fight for anyone. Nobody has beaten him. And that’s the fight calling for Volkanovski. That right there is what you call a champion. Nothing but respect.”
April 12, 2025, Miami, Fl, Miami, Fl, United States: Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes meet in the octagon for a 3-round bout at UFC 314 – Volkanovski vs Lopes at Kesaya Center on April 12, 2025, in Miami, FL /PxImages Miami, FL, United States – ZUMAp175 20250412_zsa_p175_521 Copyright: xLouisxGrassex
At 31 years old, Evloev has quietly built a reputation as one of the most dangerous and consistent fighters in the featherweight division. Since his UFC debut in 2020, he’s remained unbeaten. He also sits at the #4 spot at 145lbs while racking up wins over names like Aljamain Sterling and Diego Lopes. His dominance and composure inside the Octagon have made him a clear favorite among pundits—and even Alexander Volkanovski himself—as the ideal challenger for the champ’s second reign.
But not everyone’s sold on the Russian getting the next shot. Another red-hot contender has thrown his name in the mix, firmly believing he deserves the opportunity to dethrone ‘The Great’. So, who’s making noise in the title conversation? Let’s break it down.
Yair Rodriguez is eyeing a redemption shot with a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski’s past couple of years have been a rollercoaster, but far from a downward spiral. While his recent run includes just one victory in his last few appearances, he reminded everyone of his elite status when he squared off against Yair Rodriguez last summer at UFC 290. Coming off the first defeat of his UFC career against Makhachev at UFC 284, Volk bounced back in brutal fashion, knocking out Rodriguez in the third round and reasserting his dominance in the featherweight division.
Since that night, Yair Rodriguez has been laser-focused on getting a rematch and settling the score. And now, with the Aussie once again holding the featherweight crown, the stars may finally be aligning for part two! This can offer Rodriguez a shot at redemption and Alexander Volkanovski a chance to silence another challenger once and for all.
Fortunately for Rodriguez, he made a strong case for himself at UFC 314. Sharing the card with Volkanovski, he earned a hard-fought decision win over a debuting Patricio Pitbull. Not missing a beat, he called out the newly crowned champ during his post-fight press conference:
“Nobody else – I want to fight Volkanovski,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie. “It doesn’t matter who else is out there, I want to fight Volkanovski first. Everyone in the division is good. This isn’t about that. All my respect to him and everybody—I’ve got no problem with anyone. But why would I take another fight? The fight that I want is against Volkanovski, and that’s the only fight I’m willing to take.”
What’s your take on Alexander Volkanovski’s next title challenger? Who do you think is the ideal opponent for ‘The Great’? Yair Rodriguez, who’s eager for redemption, or the undefeated Movsar Evloev, whose record is a testament to his skill?
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