Volkanovski makes big statement about UFC retirement and talks Topuria

Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight belt in February in a rematch with Diego Lopes, a title he lost to Ilia Topuria. It will be the second numbered UFC event in this new era with Paramount. The Australian has shot down rumors of a possible retirement and made clear that the idea of becoming a two-division champion is still very much alive in his mind.

There is plenty of Volk left. He said as much in an interview with 10News. In February 2023, he lost the featherweight belt – the division where he had reigned as the undisputed king, sweeping through the field. He was knocked out by Topuria, the first man ever to stop him at 145 pounds. After that setback, Volkanovski rose from the ashes and reclaimed the crown Topuria had vacated with a clear unanimous decision win over Lopes.

“I’d love the rematch and to get those wins back, like with Islam Makhachev or Topuria. But I’m very realistic: I understand I can’t say it has to be right now, I can’t ask for a champion versus champion fight. Maybe after Diego Lopes,” he said. Before the loss to the Spanish-Georgian fighter, he had fallen to Makhachev twice: once on the scorecards and once by a chilling first-round knockout from a head kick.

Despite those stumbles – and despite many declaring him finished – he climbed back to the top. And at 37, he will defend his belt again in late February. “I see that everywhere too (the retirement rumors). I don’t know where it comes from. It’s not supposed to be my last fight, so there’s no need to worry. I think from now on I’ll just take it as it comes, but there are definitely no plans for that,” Volk explained.

He is also looking ahead. “My plan is to get out without taking too much damage and leave a good impression. Maybe recover quickly, and then we’ll see what happens. I think there are a couple of guys too, like Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy, undefeated and all that. So in terms of legacy, they could be pretty good as well,” he added. Volkanovski isn’t giving up the gloves anytime soon.

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