Alexander Volkanovski: Featherweight Champion and Career
Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed the featherweight title in 2025, retained it against Diego Lopes in 2026, and is scheduled to face Movsar Evloev next.
From rugby league to MMA
Alexander Volkanovski grew up in Wollongong, Australia, and played rugby league as a front-rower. He began training in mixed martial arts in 2011 while still playing rugby, turned professional in 2012, and joined the UFC in 2016. His background in a demanding team sport shaped his conditioning, but he built his reputation through tactical striking, footwork, and defensive wrestling.
Featherweight title run
Volkanovski won the featherweight championship by defeating Max Holloway by unanimous decision at UFC 245 in December 2019. He then defended the belt in a rematch with Holloway and against Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung. These fights showed his ability to adapt: he used movement and leg kicks against Holloway, escaped dangerous submission attempts against Ortega, and controlled the pace against Jung.
In 2023, Volkanovski moved up to lightweight to challenge Islam Makhachev. He lost their first fight by decision and was knocked out in the first round of their rematch. Returning to featherweight, he lost his title to Ilia Topuria by second-round knockout in February 2024.
Regaining the belt and defending it
After Topuria vacated the featherweight title, Volkanovski faced Diego Lopes for the vacant championship at UFC 314 in April 2025. Volkanovski survived a second-round knockdown and won by unanimous decision, reclaiming the belt. He and Lopes met again in Sydney at UFC 325 on January 31, 2026. Volkanovski retained the title by unanimous decision, with scorecards of 49–46, 49–46, and 50–45.
Next fight
As of October 10, 2026, Volkanovski is scheduled to defend the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev in the main event of UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi. The bout has not taken place, so its result remains unknown.
