Alexander Volkanovski’s Retirement Outlook Ahead of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 333

UFC 333 is scheduled for October 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (age 38) will defend his 145-lb belt against unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev, who enters the bout with a 20-0 professional record (including 10-0 in the UFC).

Alexander Volkanovski Addresses Retirement Talk Ahead of UFC 333 Showdown

Volkanovski is a two-time featherweight champion. After losing his first featherweight title to Ilia Topuria in February 2024, he reclaimed the vacant belt by defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314 and defended it again in a rematch at UFC 325. Earlier in his career, he suffered knockout defeats to Islam Makhachev (lightweight title bout) and Topuria, marking his only losses at featherweight. Despite those setbacks, he has amassed a professional record of 28-4 and sits at No. 2 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Volkanovski will ponder retirement if 'things go terribly wrong' at UFC 333

• Age: 38 (will turn 38 on September 29).

Volkanovski will ponder retirement if 'things go terribly wrong' at UFC 333

• Record: 28-4 overall; 15-3 in the UFC.

Newsweek

• Title defenses: Six overall, including two in his current reign.

Volkanovski will ponder retirement if 'things go terribly wrong' at UFC 333

• Evloev’s record: 20-0 overall, 10-0 in the UFC.

Newsweek

• Weigh-ins: Scheduled for the day before the fight.

Newsweek

He described a scenario in which a catastrophic loss or serious injury would prompt retirement, while a clean victory would lead him to keep competing.

Volkanovski On Retirement After UFC 333 Bout

• “If things go terribly wrong, alright, we’re done,” — Alexander Volkanovski, UFC featherweight champion

Alexander Volkanovski not thinking retirement, but would consider it if ‘things go terribly wrong’ against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333

• “Taking each fight as it goes,” — Alexander Volkanovski, UFC featherweight champion

USA Today

• “If things go terribly wrong, alright… we're done. If things go very well, like the last one, no damage, alright… We'll keep it rolling,” — Alexander Volkanovski, UFC featherweight champion

Alexander Volkanovski's Reveals His Retirement Conditions

The outcome of UFC 333 will shape the featherweight division’s hierarchy. A win would extend Volkanovski’s legacy as one of the sport’s most durable champions and potentially keep him active into his late thirties—a rarity in the lighter weight classes. Conversely, a loss that results in significant damage could accelerate his exit, opening the path for Evloev or other contenders to claim the title.

Volkanovski On Retirement After UFC 333 Bout

• September 29 (scheduled): Volkanovski’s 38th birthday.

USA Today

• Weigh-ins (scheduled): The day before the fight.

Newsweek

• October 24 (scheduled): Title fight against Evloev at UFC 333.

Newsweek

All sources consistently report Volkanovski’s conditional retirement stance and the fight details; no substantive discrepancies were identified.

USA Today