Alexander Volkanovski is waiting for his next title defense announcement just like everybody else.
The future Hall of Famer has already recorded one championship win in 2026, defeating Diego Lopes by unanimous decision at UFC 325 in February to record the first defense of his second featherweight reign. He’s hoping the matchmakers can keep him busy this year after he fought just once in 2024 and 2025.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, “The Great” revealed his ideal plan to return to action.
“Obviously, I want something announced,” Volkanovski said. “Not even announced, I want something definitely locked in as well, but you’ve got to understand that they’ve got a schedule that they need to keep with a lot of other champions, a lot of people fighting, a lot of big events with this one and obviously Conor [McGregor] fighting [in July], so I guess that maybe once they get this out of the way maybe they can start putting a lot of energy everywhere else.
“But yeah, I was obviously looking for anywhere from August, September, but we’ll see. I know September’s been brung up a lot with everyone, there were dates that looked good, but whatever works, we’ll see.”
UFC White House takes place this Sunday with the mega event headlined by a lightweight title unification bout between champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje, with the next major numbered event being UFC 329 on July 11 headlined by Max Holloway facing the returning Conor McGregor. UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Aug. 15 is yet to have a main event announced, and after that, the rest of the promotion’s 2026 calendar is still to be determined.
Whenever Volkanovski gets the call, he would like to face undefeated No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev. Despite being slowed by injuries, Evloev has compiled an impressive 10-0 record in the UFC, recently defeating Lerone Murphy to add to a list of victories that includes Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes, the latter of whom has twice fought for the UFC featherweight title since Evloev defeated him in 2023.
Volkanovski expects to fight Evloev next barring any surprises.
“I mean, you’ve always got to be ready for a curveball, this is a crazy sport, it’s why everyone loves it,” Volkanovski said. “At the same time, Movsar’s obviously the most deserving, No. 1 contender. He’s been the No. 1 contender for a while and everyone knows me as champion I want to fight the No. 1 guys, the guys that deserve it, and that’s obviously Movsar. So that’s something I’m pushing for, I’m pretty sure that’s what the UFC wants anyway, so that’s probably exactly what’s going to happen.”
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VIDEO STEW
UFC White House media day.
Between the Links.
Aljo chops it up with Bryce Mitchell after UFC Vegas 118 win.
UFC White House Embedded.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
The definitive fight week schedule.
The best knockouts of the week.
Neat.
Would you wear it?
He’s on to something.
Flashback.
Too far.
Maybe the best This Is CineMMA review ever.
FEED ME MORE
Adaptation.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Four days.
EXIT POLL
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