Alexander Volkanovski isn’t the oldest champion on the UFC roster but he’s embraced the ability to continue defending his title at his age — even when potential opponents love to jab him about it.
Following a majority decision win over Lerone Murphy in the UFC London main event, Movsar Evloev playfully suggested that the promotion should work to book him against Volkanovski sooner rather than later. Considering the mountain he’s already had to climb just to get into title contention after moving to 10-0 in the UFC, Evloev’s urgency is understandable.
“I can’t wait and also he’s waiting for me for a long time,” Evloev said about Volkanovski during the UFC London post-fight show. “Before he gets too old, let’s make it happen. If Alex is ready, let’s dance.”
For his part, Volkanovski didn’t take any offense to the shot about his age because at 37 he’s now a two-time featherweight champion with a total of six title defenses on his resume.
“That’s all good,” Volkanovski said responding to Evloev. “I don’t know if you’ve watched any of my socials, I give myself a bit of grief all the time. I don’t mind paying myself out and having a laugh about it. Old Man Volk, we love Old Man Volk! This old man’s still got some tricks left. Bring it on.”
As far as Evloev’s performance on Saturday, Volkanovski was impressed by what he witnessed, especially after the Russian largely abandoned his wrestling in the early rounds and decided to stand and bang with Murphy on the feet.
That strategy made for a nail-biting decision when the fight was over but Volkanovski gave Evloev credit for a job well done.
“It was an interesting one,” Volkanovski said. “I don’t think we all expected Movsar to want to stand with Lerone. Whether that was something he felt he had to do just to guarantee himself a title shot, I’m not too sure. But you could see that he was a lot stronger when he wanted to take it down and then was able to outdo him on the feet. For me, it’s quite impressive to be honest. Fair play to him, he’s 20-0 now and I guess he’s next.
“I was actually thinking could this be a draw? Which would just put a massive spatter in the works as well but I do believe Evloev looked like the better fighter.”
While Evloev showed off new facets of his arsenal in the fight against Murphy on Saturday, Volkanovski went as far as telling the undefeated featherweight contender to play to his strengths assuming they are meeting next.
Considering Volkanovski has largely shut down anybody trying to wrestle him in the past — including his five-round battle against Islam Makhachev back in 2023 — he welcomes Evloev to try to take him down and hold him down.
“One thing I will touch on as well, I feel like he didn’t want to push the wrestling, he wanted to stand up and maybe prove himself on the feet,” Volkanovski said. “I don’t know if that was to prove it to himself or to everyone that he can stand or whether he maybe felt forced. I don’t want any excuses when we fight. I want him to try everything he can. I want him to try to take me down because I won’t let it happen. He’ll be forced to fight on the feet because of my takedown defense.
“That’s just all due respect. I don’t want him when I do get my hand raised to be like ‘I was trying to impress the fans.’ I don’t want none of that. Don’t worry they will be impressed because nobody’s holding me down and we will be standing on the feet and I’ll leave it at that.”
Prior to his rematch against Diego Lopes in February, Volkanovski repeatedly called for a fight against Evleov or Murphy, who were both on long winning streaks in the division.
Obviously it didn’t happen but Volkanovski made it clear now that Evloev picked up yet another win that the fight between them needs to happen next.
“I want the guy that deserves it most and it’s pretty clear that’s Movsar,” Volkanovski said. “He’s had to take the long road because of that. I feel like he would have got the title shot well before if he was that fighter you’re talking about. But now he had to do it the long way. He’s done that. That still excites me.
“I’m not usually one [to say] I’m going to fight for legacy but that’s one fight I feel like I need that. An undefeated 20-0 contender, taking out all the guys, he’s took out all the top guys, all of them. It’s quite clear.”
When it comes to timing, Volkanovski targeted a mid-to-late summer date for his return and Evloev went as far as suggesting May. In other words, both fighters are on board to make the title fight happen in the very near future — possibly before Volkanovski celebrates his 38th birthday in September.
“We’re looking at maybe July,” Volkanovski said. “I think July’s good, July/August. I think that’s still great timing for them. Whoever wins, it gives them plenty of time. Again, it doesn’t really matter but I think July/August is good.”
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