Alexander Volkanovski speaks to Joe Rogan following UFC 314 title win with an inset of Movsar Evloev following his UFC 310 win. Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Alexander Volkanovski reveals unchecked box in his UFC career that a win over Movsar Evloev would finally tick

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 5:08 PM ET

Alexander Volkanovski is a leading contender for GOAT status in the UFC featherweight division, but that doesn’t mean he’s accomplished all of his goals just yet.

The legendary Volkanovski finds himself back on the 145-pound throne just over a year after being unseated by Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.

After taking a break from competition, Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in his return this past April to regain the crown, which was vacated ahead of Topuria’s move up to lightweight.

For the first defense of his second reign, Volkanovski made his preference clear by calling for the chance to fight the frequently overlooked Movsar Evloev. And the Australian’s reasons boil down to more than just the Russian contender being deserving.

Alexander Volkanovski wants to beat an undefeated UFC challenger

During a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast podcast, Volkanovski reiterated his hope to share the Octagon with Evloev.

In addition to the prospect of facing a smothering wrestling style he’s yet to contend with in the Octagon, ‘Alexander the Great’ wants to take a title challenger’s undefeated status for the first time in his UFC career, especially after failing to achieve the feat against Topuria.

“I’m going off just fighting, that’s it,” Volkanovski said on his desire to fight Evloev. “But there’s so much more, right? There’s pay-per-views, who you are, hype around you, how many finishes. We know that, and that’s why I’m like, ‘I’ll fight anyone.’

“But then you ask me who I would be most excited for, it probably would be Movsar in the fact that he deserves it.

“He’s undefeated,” Volkanovski continued. “The last undefeated guy I lost to, so I haven’t been able to take someone’s zero yet. So there’s another reason.”

Movsar Evloev knows what he must do to earn a title shot

To dash Volkanovski’s hopes of achieving that goal at his expense, Evloev knows his path to the gold.

After repeated snubs from the promotion, Dana White finally told Evloev what to do by revealing that one more victory will likely earn him a long-awaited title shot.

“Evloev is undefeated at 19-0 and one of the most intimidating guys at featherweight,” White said. “(Aaron) Pico is a ridiculously violent striker and very high-level grappler.

“Pico has had hype behind him since he was a teenager. … People compare him to the likes of Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier.

“If Movsar can get the victory, he will likely be the next contender for the title against Alexander Volkanovski.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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