Islam Makhachev reacts after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Alexander Volkanovski says second shot at lightweight belt would be ‘fair enough’ if he achieves one goal

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Dec 9, 2025 4:57 PM ET

Alexander Volkanovski still has champ-champ status in his sights.

It was announced last month that Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325 on February 1.

The main event in Sydney will be the featherweight champion’s first defense of the belt after he claimed the vacant title earlier this year.

Following criticism about the matchup, Lopes’ manager explained why he got the fight over other contenders whom many perceive to be more worthy of a shot at the champion.

‘The Great’ may have several potential challengers waiting in line for him, but he still has goals that he wants to accomplish outside of the 145 pound division.

Alexander Volkanovski believes two title defenses could set him up for champ-champ clash

In a recent interview with 10 News, Alexander Volkanovski previewed his upcoming rematch with Diego Lopes at UFC 325.

‘The Great’ previously moved up to lightweight on two occasions during his first reign as the featherweight champion.

Volkanovski was defeated by Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 after earning this opportunity by defeating many of the top contenders in his division.

A second loss to Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294 meant that he’d likely be staying at his natural home of featherweight for the foreseeable future.

However, when asked about the goals he still wants to accomplish, Volkanovski spoke about wanting to right some wrongs.

The champion said that while he’s not in a position to call for another lightweight title shot right now, he believes that making two successful title defenses next year could open this opportunity up.

“Being a champion is a responsibility and I take that seriously,” Volkanovski stated. “I know I’ve got guys in my division and I don’t want to hold up the division so I’m gonna do what I need to do and then you never know, maybe after what I’ve said I plan on doing in Sydney, February 1, go do that and then maybe have the turnaround and then get another victory over an undefeated guy, maybe that, I think that’s fair enough to be calling for maybe a champ-champ fight then.”

Alexander Volkanovski provides an update on when he plans to retire

Many are likely to push back against Alexander Volkanovski’s comments due to the line of viable title challengers at both featherweight and lightweight.

At 37 years old, it doesn’t appear that ‘The Great’ will have too much time left to try and tick off some of those remaining boxes on his bucket list.

It’s been rumored in recent weeks that UFC 325 could even be the date that Volkanovski is targeting for his last dance.

He disputed this when breaking the matchup down in his recent interview with 10 News.

“I’m seeing that everywhere as well. I don’t know where that came from. No, it hasn’t been planned to be my last fight. So, you don’t need to worry about that. I think you’re just gonna take it as it goes from here on but there’s definitely no plans of that.”

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

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