Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, revealed that he almost retired from the sport after recapturing the title at UFC 314 earlier this year. Volkanovski secured a unanimous decision win against Diego Lopes in a hard-fought five-round battle, marking his return to the top of the featherweight division. The Australian fighter has been open about the challenges he faced during his recent losing streak, admitting that a defeat in this fight could have ended his career.
Volkanovski has emerged as one of the most dominant pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts, but consecutive knockout losses shook his confidence. Despite the struggle, his victory at UFC 314 reinstated him as the featherweight champion. However, even after triumphing, members of his family urged him to consider retirement due to concerns about his well-being.
Family’s Plea for Volkanovski’s Retirement After UFC 314
On a recent episode of the MightyCast podcast, Volkanovski shared insight into his family’s reaction following his UFC 314 win. He revealed the strong desire his relatives had for him to step away from fighting entirely.
Straight after the fight, my whole family is just like ‘Why didn’t you just put the gloves down in the middle of the Octagon straight away?’, they all want me to retire,
Volkanovski said.
He went on to describe how, although they initially urged him to stop, they have since refrained from pressing the point, respecting his decision to continue competing.
They all wanted me to, but now that I’m making the decision to keep going, I’m not probably going to bring that back up purely because they’re worried about affecting my frame of mind. Which I’ll be alright, they can say what they want, and maybe they’re just trying to be selective. But they made it clear that they all wanted me to stop straight after this fight.
Volkanovski also emphasized that his motivation for fighting has always been financial security for his family rather than personal legacy.
And I’m going to be real, no one wants to talk about this…but I was always fighting for money, looking after my family,
he continued.
If I’m going to get punched in the face to do so, then whatever, and I’ll try not to! It’s never been about my actual legacy. Yeah, legacy that I leave behind, is only going to help me build my empire for my family. And that’s all that matters for me, the legacy will come with that.
Comeback After Serious Setbacks and Injury
Volkanovski’s career faced significant turbulence following two first-time knockout losses to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 and Islam Makhachev. To recover, he took over a year away from competition, focusing on regaining mental strength and physical health. This hiatus was critical for him to rebuild confidence and address the challenges that came with such rare setbacks in his career.
Adding to the drama, Volkanovski fought with a hand injury sustained early in his UFC 314 bout. Despite this, he managed to secure the championship, proving his resilience and determination. The injury was not severe, and he is expected to return to the Octagon again later this year.
Uncertainty Surrounds Volkanovski’s Next Title Defense
While Volkanovski is back as champion, the details of his next featherweight title defense remain undecided. Undefeated contender Movsar Evloev is set to fight UFC newcomer Aaron Pico at UFC Abu Dhabi later this month. UFC President Dana White confirmed that Evloev’s victory over Pico would earn him a shot at Volkanovski’s championship.
Another potential challenger is Yair Rodriguez, who gained attention by defeating Patricio “Pitbull” Freire at UFC 314. Rumors suggest Rodriguez might be the next fighter to challenge Volkanovski, though nothing has been confirmed.
The upcoming results of Evloev’s fight at UFC Abu Dhabi are therefore crucial in shaping the future title matchup in the featherweight division. Fans and analysts are eager to see who will test Volkanovski’s reign next amid a competitive field.
Significance of Volkanovski’s Decisions and Future Outlook
Volkanovski’s openness about his near-retirement and family concerns sheds light on the physical and mental toll the sport exerts on elite fighters. His relentless pursuit of financial security for his family over legacy highlights the real motivations behind many fighters’ careers. The featherweight division is now poised for intense competition as challengers emerge and Volkanovski prepares to defend his title once again.
As UFC 314 marked both a comeback and a crossroads for Volkanovski, his next choices will have lasting effects on his legacy and the featherweight landscape. Whether he continues to build his championship run or eventually steps away, his story represents the challenging balance fighters face between career, family, and health in MMA.