Alexander Volkanovski’s Chances of Fighting for the Undisputed UFC Lightweight Title Again
Alexander Volkanovski, the current featherweight champion, has expressed his thoughts on potentially fighting for the undisputed UFC lightweight title again. In a recent interview, Volkanovski stated that he thinks the chances of him fighting for the title are thin. He is currently preparing for his first title defense against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 and is looking to make a quick and easy win, taking minimal damage, before potentially facing Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy in his next bout.
Earlier this month, Paddy Pimblett, who is set to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 for the interim 155-pound strap, predicted that if he becomes the undisputed champion in 2026, Volkanovski might move up in pursuit of two-division glory once more and challenge him. Pimblett stated, “I think if I win and he wins, and I get upgraded to undisputed champ, it wouldn’t surprise me if [Volk] thinks that’s the perfect opportunity to win the lightweight belt. I don’t want to fight Volk, I proper like Volk.” Pimblett’s comments sparked a lot of interest, with many fans wondering if Volkanovski would indeed consider moving up to lightweight again.
Volkanovski’s Previous Experience at Lightweight
In 2023, Volkanovski fought for the 155-pound strap twice against then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and lost both times. Despite these losses, Volkanovski has shown his ability to compete at the highest level in the lightweight division. However, he has also expressed his desire to focus on his featherweight title reign and defend his belt against top contenders in the division.
Recently, on The Ariel Helwani Show, Volkanovski responded to Pimblett’s remarks, stating that while he would gladly accept a shot at the lightweight title if offered, he doesn’t feel that he deserves one right now. Volkanovski said, “If it’s offered to me, of course, I’m gonna fight for the lightweight title. But as everyone knows, I am pretty real with everything. Right now, it’s like, do I deserve a shot at the lightweight title already? Right now it’s like I know I don’t. It’s not something that I am planning. I’m not planning to fight for another 2-3 years. For me to deserve another shot like that, I’m gonna need another 2-3 wins… I don’t believe I deserve that [shot] right now.” Volkanovski’s comments suggest that he is focused on his featherweight title reign and is not looking to jump back into the lightweight division anytime soon.
What’s Next for Volkanovski?
Volkanovski’s upcoming title defense against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 will be a crucial test for the champion. A win against Lopes would cement Volkanovski’s position as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and potentially set up a future bout against Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy. While a move to lightweight is not out of the question, it seems unlikely that Volkanovski will pursue a title shot in the near future. Instead, he will likely focus on defending his featherweight title and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest featherweight champions in UFC history.
As the UFC landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Volkanovski’s career unfolds. With his impressive skills and dominant performances, he is sure to remain a top contender in the featherweight division for years to come. While a potential move to lightweight is intriguing, it seems that Volkanovski is content with his current position as featherweight champion and is focused on defending his title against the best contenders in the division.
