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Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Fight Is Yet To Be Confirmed, With Rumour Of A Diego Lopes Featherweight Clash In The New Year
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After suffering back-to-back knockout defeats to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, the Alexander Volkanovski next fight is yet to be confirmed. Read on to find out when Volkanovski’s next fight is and what his options are moving forward in the UFC featherweight division.
Alexander Volkanovski Next Fight: Who Is The Former UFC Featherweight Champion Fighting Next?
Alexander Volkanovski is without question one of the biggest stars in MMA over the past decade. The Australian has had a quite remarkable career to now, and it certainly isn’t done just yet.
Volkanovski currently boasts a record of 26-4, which consists of 13 knockout victories, three submissions and 10 wins via decision. Inside the UFC, the 36-year-old has had 16 fights, winning 13 of them. This includes a 12-fight unbeaten streak to begin his UFC career from debut up until his first defeat to Islam Makhachev.
UFC fans last saw ‘The Great’ in action at UFC 298 in February 2024. After fighting Makhachev twice up at lightweight, Volkanovski returned to featherweight to defend his title against the unbeaten Ilia Topuria. However, the fight didn’t go to play whatsoever as ‘El Matador’ knocked the Aussie out inside two rounds.
Now, the former UFC featherweight king will aim to get back in the win column and earn his shot at UFC gold in the 145-pound division once again. That begins in 2025, with rumours that ‘The Great’ could return in the first few months of the New Year.
In regards to Alexander Volkanovski’s next fight, the Australian MMA superstar has several options. It looks like he will continue to campaign at featherweight, with several names such as Diego Lopes, Mosvar Evloev, Brian Ortega and Arnold Allen just a few of the names ‘Volk’ could face next.
No matter who he fights next, the best UFC betting sites will likely list ‘The Great’ as a resounding favourite. Rightly so, he has proved he is the best featherweight in the world on his day, and could become a two-time champion now that Ilia Topuria has announced his move up to 155-pounds.
Could Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Fight Be Against Sean O’Malley?
Should Alexander Volkanovski return to action in early 2025, there are plenty of names who could potentially fight. As previously mentioned, there are a few title contenders at 145-pounds that could face Volkanovski next, with Diego Lopes leading the pack.
There have been several rumours that Lopes and Volkanovski could fight on the UFC 312 main card in the co-main event. That UFC PPV takes place in Australia in February, headlined by Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2. Time will tell if Volkanovski vs Lopes lands on that card or not.
Another option could be a super-fight between Volkanovski and Sean O’Malley. O’Malley is of course the former UFC Bantamweight Title holder, losing his crown last time out against Merab Dvalishvili. Now, ‘Suga Sean’ is searching for a new opponent after returning to the gym in recent weeks.
A showdown between the former bantamweight and featherweight champs would be a incredible. Whether or not the fight ever comes to fruition or not remains to be seen. It also depends entirely on whether Sean O’Malley moves up to 145-pounds or continues to campaign at bantamweight.
UFC President Dana White quite evidently still has a superstar on his hands, even if Volkanovski has lost three of his last four fights. His next fight will tell us a lot about where he is at in his career, and what exactly he has left to offer.
Alexander Volkanovski remains one of the biggest names on the UFC roster, as well as being a legend of the sport and former pound-for-pound great. He should be treated well from now until the day he retires. Period.
Be sure to claim the various combat sports betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of Alexander Volkanovski’s next fight.