Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t have a lot time left in MMA.
In April, Volkanovski faces Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 after former foe Ilia Topuria vacated the belt to maneuver as much as light-weight. It is going to be Volkanovski’s first struggle since dropping the title to Topuria, and the 36-year-old says it might be one in all his final.
“I don’t know the way for much longer I’ve left on this,” Volkanovski stated on The Ariel Helwani Present. “I in all probability may go just a few extra years. I’m pondering of successful the belt, then defending. Even successful, I’m pondering of, ‘You recognize what, I’m accomplished. As a result of how for much longer do I wish to do that? This ain’t straightforward, particularly to be at a stage that I’m at, the place my expectations, my regular, may be very exhausting work. It hurts, you’re in ache, you get caught in. That’s what it takes to be elite and be the most effective and be on the high. I settle for nothing however that. So it ain’t straightforward.
“So I’m anticipating to possibly have just a few extra, a pair extra, just a few extra. We’ll see. I’ll say that now — I’ve a struggle and completely like it, ‘You recognize what, give me one other seven!’ However how for much longer? I nonetheless like it, however how for much longer do I wish to do that to myself and my physique? I do wish to finally sail off within the sundown, proper?”
Volkanovski is already broadly thought-about to be one of many biggest featherweights and fighters of all time, having held the featherweight title from 2019 till 2024, with 5 profitable title defenses to his identify. A sure-fire UFC Corridor of Famer, Volkanovski says he’s simply in search of one closing act in his illustrious profession.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to that, however I wish to have one final crack and get actually caught into it,” Volkanovski stated. “Win that belt, defend it, possibly defend it once more. Possibly one massive struggle after a protection, we’ll see. Then possibly I’m accomplished. That’s form of the place we’re at. However I wish to be energetic as quickly as I get this belt. Once I get it again, I’m like, ‘Alright, after we doing this subsequent one? Who’s it? Movsar [Evloev], you prepared? Let’s go.’ A few months after, no matter, I’m prepared. That’s what I’m anticipating to do.”
And whereas the plan is just for just a few extra fights, Volkanovski acknowledged that typically plans change. For now, he imagines just some fights left, however as soon as he reminds everybody simply how “Nice” he’s, Volkanovski admitted he may rethink issues.
“That would change,” Volkanovski stated about his retirement timeline. “I may sit there, go in there and win — I positively wish to defend. I feel I wish to defend fairly shortly. I would like everybody to be reminded, ‘Oh man, Volk’s again. He’s in there and he’s already calling for undefeated fighters, telling them let’s go!’ I’m the one dragging these guys into the octagon, hurrying them up. I would like individuals to be reminded of that after which we’ll see the place we’re after that.”
UFC 314 takes place on April 12 at Kaseya Heart in Miami.
