Alexander Volkanovski eyes record ninth featherweight title defense at UFC 333

OPA WIRE, Oct 24 (OPA) — Alexander Volkanovski enters the octagon at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday with the opportunity to surpass Brazilian icon Jose Aldo for the most title fight wins in the division's history. Now 38, the Australian champion is currently in his second reign, having successfully reclaimed his belt after a 2024 knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. A victory over the undefeated Russian challenger Movsar Evloev would mark his ninth successful title defense, a milestone that would further distinguish his legacy in the sport.

Despite the historical implications, Volkanovski maintains a focus on the immediate challenge rather than personal accolades. "I'm not driven by getting the most title wins. I get more drive for the challenges and getting through those challenges," Volkanovski said. The champion holds a professional record of 28 wins in 32 fights and currently boasts the longest average fight time in UFC featherweight history at 18 minutes and three seconds, underscoring his technical proficiency and endurance.

Volkanovski’s career trajectory has faced significant scrutiny following back-to-back knockout losses in 2023 and 2024, including a failed attempt to capture the lightweight title against Islam Makhachev. After a 14-month hiatus, he returned to defeat Diego Lopes and subsequently regained his featherweight crown in February. His ability to overcome these setbacks has become a central theme of his current campaign, as he continues to compete at an elite level despite being labeled by some critics as being in the twilight of his career.

Looking beyond Saturday’s bout, Volkanovski has indicated that he has no immediate plans for retirement. However, he remains open to a potential "super fight" against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, which he suggests could serve as a final career milestone. While he has twice failed to secure a second-division title, he remains committed to taking his career one fight at a time, prioritizing high-stakes matchups over a formal exit from the sport.