Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie Sun, October 25, 2026 at 7:30 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander Volkanovski defied logic once again at UFC 333 and in the process cemented himself as one of the truly special fighters in MMA history.
Terms like "greatest of all-time" and "best ever" are thrown around too hastily at times. But for Volkanovski, it actually applies. Especially when it comes to featherweights. And especially after what he did to the previously undefeated Movsar Evloev on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
Volkanovski (29-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) boldly predicted to MMA Junkie pre-fight that he would put Evloev (20-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) away inside two rounds. That seemed like a stretch again someone who had never been beaten, let alone stopped.
But then Volkanovski, at 38 years old, went out there and did just that . In the process he broke out of a tie with Jose Aldo for the most title fight victories in UFC featherweight history, now holding sole possession for most with nine.
Volkanovski has also done something Aldo hasn't by defending the belt in his second reign. And he's now done it twice. Moreover, the Aussie's only blemish in 15 appearances in the UFC at 145 pounds comes against Ilia Topuria. Speculate how you want about whether Volkanovski took that fight too quickly after being knocked out by Islam Makhachev a few months prior.
Nevertheless, Volkanovski took his legend status to a different tier at UFC 333. He's one of the best of this generation, and UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged as much by essentially giving Volkanovski carte blanche to pick his shot after this win.
"I think when you've accomplished what he has accomplished, there's not much we're going to say no to with him," White said post-fight at UFC 333. "So, we'll see how this whole thing plays out."
Volkanovski is chasing a double retirement fight against Justin Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) for the lightweight title. He said it prior to UFC 333, and doubled down on it after. He called it a "super fight" that would be a perfect end for both men, and laid out a plan for it not to hold up either division.
But what about Arman Tsarukyan? Did his little scuffle with Dillon Danis at RAF 14 give UFC pause (again) to grant him a championship opportunity. It shouldn't, and every sane person should agree Tsarukyan deserves his shot. Is Gaethje retiring, though? And is he even interested in a fight with Volkanovski? Or does he prefer Tsarukyan?
The clock is starting to tick on Gaethje to make a decision. The UFC will only extend his so much grace, and perhaps this sways him one way or another.
For Volkanovski, it's the right time to pitch this big idea. It may happen, or it may not, but he seems accepting of either possibility.
He could more realistically be looking at a next title defense against Jean Silva (18-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who was cageside with hope in his eyes about getting that fight. He'll certainly be pushing for it, and the 29-year-old is a dangerous man as well.
That could be the fight offered to Volkanovski. And perhaps the only fight there's "not much we're going to say no to." He didn't say there's nothing, and a fight with Gaethje might be a request too lofty. If that were the case, it also wouldn't be surprising if he took a hard look at retire. And no one would blame him after just delivering one of the top moments of his career.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Alexander Volkanovski after UFC 333 history?
Source: Sports
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