Alexander Volkanovski has outlined his plans for retirement as he prepares to fight for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314.
After suffering consecutive knockout losses to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Topuria at UFC 298, Volkanovski considered retirement but now aims to make the most of his final stretch in the sport.
“I’m expecting to maybe have a couple more, a few more,” Volkanovski said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “We’ll see. I’ll say that, and then have a fight and absolutely love it: ‘Give me another seven!’ But how much longer? I still love it, but how much longer do I want to do this to myself and my body? … I want to have one last crack, win that belt, defend it, maybe defend it again, or one big fight after a defense. Then, maybe I’m done.”
Volkanovski is focused on reclaiming the featherweight title before stepping away. He acknowledged Movsar Evloev’s claim to a title shot but was not surprised by Lopes getting the opportunity.
“I’m winning the belt and I’ll call him out,” Volkanovski said of Evloev. “He can probably just wait if he wants. I’m going to talk to the UFC. I’ll let them know, I’m winning that title and I’ll fight him three months later. Tell me the date, and we can do it.”
UFC 314 will mark Volkanovski’s attempt to regain the featherweight championship, which he previously held from 2019 until his loss to Topuria.
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