Alexander Volkanovski believes the chances of him fighting for the undisputed UFC lightweight title again are slim.
Volkanovski is currently gearing up for the first title defense of his second reign at featherweight and will face Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325. “The Great” wants to go easy on Lopes, take minimal damage and then return to the octagon to fight either Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy.
Earlier this month, Paddy Pimblett, who will face Justin Gaethje for the interim 155-pound title at UFC 324, had predicted that if he becomes the undisputed champion in 2026, ‘The Great’ could move up again in the hunt for two-division glory and challenge Pimblett. During a candid conversation with Tom Aspinall, ‘The Baddy’ had predicted:
“I think if I win and he wins, and I get upgraded to undisputed champion, I wouldn’t be surprised if [Volk] thinks this is the perfect opportunity to win the lightweight belt. I don’t want to fight Volk, I really love Volk.
Watch Paddy Pimblett’s comments below:
Alexander Volkanovski has no plans to fight for UFC lightweight gold again
In 2023, Alexander Volkanovski fought twice for the 155-pound strap against then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and lost both times.
Recently, op The Ariel Helwani ShowWhile responding to Paddy Pimblett’s comments, ‘The Great’ said that if he is offered another shot at the lightweight title he would happily go for it. However, he doesn’t think he deserves one right now.
“If it’s offered to me, of course I’m going to fight for the lightweight title. But as everyone knows, I’m pretty realistic about everything. Right now it’s like, do I deserve a shot at the lightweight title yet? Right now it’s like I know I don’t. It’s not something I plan on doing. I don’t plan on fighting for another two to three years. To earn another opportunity like that, I need two to three more wins… believe I deserve that [shot] right now.”
Watch Alexander Volkanovski’s comments below (11:50):
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