Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) fights Yair Rodriguez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Move? September Rematch Against Known Opponent May Be In The Works

Alexander Volkanovski may be headed for familiar territory as rematch talks heat up for a september showdown!

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) fights Yair Rodriguez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The featherweight division has always been Alexander Volkanovski’s kingdom, and he has ruled it with an iron fist for years. The Australian champion has defended his title (except against Ilia Topuria, but won it back against Diego Lopes), turning back challenger after challenger with a combination of wrestling, striking, and that famous Volkanovski cardio. His reign has been so dominant that finding fresh opponents has become a real challenge for the UFC matchmakers. But recent social media activity suggests his next fight might be a familiar dance with an old partner.

@alexvolkanovski thank you Champ for trying to fight me, I will fight in July and you fight in September, hopefully we both win and we can meet in December.
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) May 22, 2025

Movsar Evloev’s recent tweet to Volkanovski has fight fans buzzing about what’s coming next. The undefeated Russian thanked the champion for trying to fight him and mentioned they both have fights scheduled: Evloev in July and Volkanovski potentially in September. Then came the interesting part where Evloev suggested they could meet in December if both men win their upcoming bouts. This timeline hints at something brewing behind the scenes.

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Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez Rumored To Be In The Works

If fans are talking about September fights and rematches, one name keeps popping up in conversations around the MMA community; Yair Rodriguez. The Mexican striker has been relatively quiet about the title scenario since his brutal encounter with Volkanovski at UFC 290 back in July 2023. The timing of a potential September rematch makes sense from multiple angles, especially if Rodriguez has been working on his wrestling defense since that devastating loss. He recently won against Patricio Pitbull recently at UFC 314.

The UFC loves comeback stories, and Rodriguez has the skills to bounce back if he’s addressed his grappling weaknesses. A rematch would also give Volkanovski a chance to stay active while bigger fights develop around him. The champion has always been willing to fight anyone, and Rodriguez represents a name opponent who could sell pay-per-views.

🚨 The UFC is planning to book the rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez next 👀

(per @KOlmeneroMMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/qC0fmnFMtb
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 23, 2025

From Rodriguez’s perspective, a rematch offers a chance at redemption against the man who exposed his biggest weakness. He has shown throughout his career that he can adapt and improve, bouncing back from setbacks with impressive victories. The question is whether the time has been enough to shore up his takedown defense and develop a better game plan for dealing with Volkanovski’s pressure.

The September timeline also fits perfectly with Evloev’s suggestion about a December showdown. If Volkanovski handles Rodriguez again in September and Evloev beats Aaron Pico in July, that December fight becomes a logical next step. The UFC could position it as Volkanovski finally facing the undefeated contender who has been knocking on the door for so long. It gives fans a clear path to see how the featherweight division shakes out over the next several months.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Alexander Volkanovksi

Yair Rodriguez

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!