Alexander Volkanovski was by no means one to shrink back from stress. The 37-year-old UFC featherweight champion will defend his title towards Diego Lopez on Saturday, January 31 at UFC 325 at Qudos Financial institution Area in Sydney, figuring out full properly that critics have pointed to his age as a possible weak point. However moderately than downplaying the story, Volkanovski leans into it with the boldness of a fighter who is aware of precisely what he is able to.
“I am outdated.”
“I am joyful to speak about this. Lots of people are like, ‘Why does he preserve mentioning the 37-year-old story?'” I find it irresistible. Once more, I need that stress. I need individuals to suppose I am outdated. I am older, however I am nonetheless higher than them, and I am going to present you,” Volkanovski stated in an interview with ESPN Australia.
The rematch between Volkanovski (27-4) and Lopez (27-7) is a sequel to their first assembly at UFC 314 in April 2025, the place Volkanovski regained the featherweight title with a unanimous choice victory (48-47, 49-46, 49-46). The win made him the oldest fighter in UFC historical past to win the 145-pound title at 36 years and 195 days, a breakthrough after back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilya Topria that left many questioning if his time on the high was over.
Alexander Volkanovsky talks about his household
For Volkanovski, the load of sustaining elite efficiency whereas balancing life exterior the cage will not be a burden, however one thing he wears as a badge of honor. The Australian champion is the daddy of 4 daughters, Ariana, Airlie, Reign and child Leah, who was born in September 2025. His dedication to his household runs deep and he is been vocal about how he manages the conflicting calls for of coaching camp and fatherhood.
“Individuals on the fitness center can inform that my physique has modified simply by watching me practice, however if you’re doing what you do within the fitness center and on the similar time being a dad and having media and all the pieces else at dwelling, content material, all the pieces, it may be very busy. There’s loads of operating round,” Volkanovski defined.
Volkanovski, who married his highschool sweetheart Emma in 2012, has all the time made it clear that household is the driving drive behind all the pieces he does contained in the Octagon. He has repeatedly acknowledged that his motivation is not only legacy or fame, however feeding his family members and being there for his daughters, regardless of the grueling calls for of coaching camp and match preparation.
Volkanovski’s strategy to coaching at this stage of his profession is calculated and exact. The champion, who trains with coach Joe Lopez at Freestyle Combating Gymnasium in Wollongong, emphasizes sensible preparation that balances energy and restoration. His combat camp diet is managed by efficiency nutritionist Jordan Sullivan, who fastidiously buildings his food regimen to permit him to achieve weight whereas sustaining a excessive degree of efficiency throughout grueling coaching periods. Athletes Diet meals are ready to precise specs right down to the gram, and his typical day consists of a number of coaching periods together with energy coaching, cardio, MMA sparring, and restoration work.
Regardless of being 9 months faraway from his first combat, Volkanovski believes Lopez will include the identical aggressive strategy that fell brief towards Miami. The champion outscored the Brazilian 158-63 of their first encounter with highly effective strikes, however Lopez was in a position to knock down Volkanovski within the second spherical. The knockdown was a reminder that at 37 years outdated, there’s little or no margin for error.
UFC 325
UFC 325 might be Volkanovski’s first title combat in Sydney since his final combat in Australia in February 2023, when he fell wanting light-weight gold towards Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth. Enjoying in his hometown, simply 90 minutes from Wollongong, provides emotional weight to the sport. The champion has been ready eight years to defend his title in entrance of household and mates in Sydney, and his final combat in Sydney was towards Shane Younger in 2017.
If Volkanovski efficiently defends his title on Saturday, he’ll tie Jose Aldo’s file with eight UFC featherweight title wins. He’s now the oldest featherweight champion in UFC historical past, having efficiently defended his title 5 occasions since his first reign. Somewhat than contemplate retirement, Volkanovski has made it clear that he desires to combat 3 times in 2026, aiming for a mid-year combat and one other on the finish of the yr.
The veteran champion has additionally expressed curiosity in going through undefeated challengers like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, and has even entertained the thought of demoting light-weight challenger Arman Tsarukyan to featherweight. Although a fighter who’s regarded as previous his prime, Volkanovski’s ambition stays as sharp as ever.
At UFC 325, all eyes might be on whether or not age is absolutely only a quantity, or whether or not the unforgiving nature of combined martial arts will lastly meet up with one of many division’s most confirmed champions. But when Volkanovski’s phrases are any indication, he is prepared to point out the world that the outdated man’s expertise nonetheless have lots left to supply.
