Apr 12, 2025; Miami, Florida, UNITED STATES; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) reacts after defeating Diego Lopes (not pictured) during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Alexander Volkanovski Retiring? Reports Emerge About The Featherweight Star Hanging Up The Gloves After UFC 325

Every fighter eventually faces the hardest question in combat sports: when to walk away? Some stick around too long, tarnishing legacies with brutal losses that didn’t need to happen. Others leave at the perfect moment, cementing greatness while still competitive at the highest level. Age catches everyone eventually, and even the most skilled fighters start showing vulnerability. Alexander Volkanovski is kind of on the fence about that.

‘The Great’ has been at the top of the featherweight division for years, establishing himself as arguably the greatest 145-pounder in UFC history. But his recent record tells a concerning story. He’s gone 2-3 in his last five octagon appearances. The losses came against elite competition, but losses nonetheless raise questions about how much longer the Australian champion can maintain his dominance. Now Alexander Volkanovski retiring becomes a real possibility as reports emerge about the featherweight star hanging up the gloves after UFC 325.

The Coach Of Alexander Volkanovski Speaks About Retirement Timeline

Joe Lopes, Volkanovski’s coach, spoke with Submission Radio this week and got remarkably candid about his fighter’s future. He stated that personally, he would be happy if this was Volkanovski’s last title fight. The coach mentioned that if Volkanovski wants to have a fun fight after UFC 325, that would be good too. That suggests one more bout after defending against Lopes, possibly for the BMF belt that Volkanovski has expressed interest in pursuing.

“But yeah, me personally, I’d be happy if this was his [Volkanovski] last title fight, and then if he wants to have a fun fight, that’d be good.”

Volkanovski himself discussed his timeline back in February on The Ariel Helwani Show, saying he doesn’t know how much longer he has left but probably could go a few more years. He mentioned thinking about winning the belt, then defending it, which suggests he’s already mapping out his exit strategy. For a fighter like Volkanovski, careful planning matters because it’s all about the legacy he leaves behind.

🚨Alexander Volkanovski is rumored to be retiring win or lose on February 1st at #UFC325 #ufc #mma pic.twitter.com/XtNVlOmkDM
— West Till Death (@WestTillDeath) November 28, 2025

The 37-year-old champion reclaimed his featherweight title in April after defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314 for the vacated belt. That fight was anything but ordinary, with both competitors taking it to BMF-level intensity. Volkanovski’s experience made the difference in securing victory. Now they are set to clash again on January 31 at UFC 325 in Australia, which adds extra pressure given it’s on his home turf.

(Image Credit: Sam Navarro – Imagn Images)

Alexander Volkanovksi

Diego Lopes

UFC 325

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!