UFC 333 turned into another memorable night for Alexander Volkanovski. The 38-year-old overcame another tough challenge to defend his featherweight title at Etihad Arena, finishing Movsar Evloev in the second round and handing the Russian his first career loss after 20 straight wins.
However, while the Aussie managed to overcome an undefeated contender this time, things went very differently when he faced Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in 2024. The Spaniard famously knocked out Volkanovski, handing him his first loss at 145 pounds and taking the featherweight title in the process.
Since then, Topuria has captured the lightweight title but suffered his first career defeat against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Meanwhile, Volkanovski has expressed interest in a potential retirement fight against Gaethje. However, if that does not translate, then the Aussie has no problem running it back with Topuria.
Alexander Volkanovski Wants to Erase UFC 298 Loss With Ilia Topuria Rematch
In an interview with Brendan Bradford, Volkanovski explained why a potential fight against Topuria for the lightweight title would be particularly appealing.
He said, “If it was going to be for a lightweight title, that’d be great, because I get that win back as well. Gaethje took that zero, so I can’t say that I get the chance to take that zero from him, but to get that win back would be great.”
Volkanovski has previously tried to become a two-division champion, challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title twice. However, both attempts ended in defeat. Despite those setbacks, the Australian would love another opportunity to capture gold at 155 pounds, especially if it means getting another crack at Topuria.
The reigning featherweight champion made it clear that his interest in the matchup is purely competitive, despite the respect he has for the Spaniard.
He added, “Nothing against him obviously, he’s a great fighter, great dude, we get along well. But at the same time, I’m a competitor, and I would love to test myself against him.”
Alexander Volkanovski would welcome an Ilia Topuria rematch, but says the matchmaking may not fit his plans for one final fight at lightweight.
“If it was going to be for a lightweight title, that’d be great, because I get that win back as well. Gaethje took that zero, so I can’t say that I get the chance to take that zero from him. But to get that win back would be great.”
via: Brendan Bradford
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 26, 2026
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Volkanovski has also made it clear that he doesn’t want to hold up the featherweight division while pursuing one final opportunity at lightweight. If Gaethje decides to retire, the Aussie believes he could find another opponent for a potential farewell fight.
He said, “How that would work probably doesn’t make sense. If Gaethje does retire, maybe I can find someone. Win, lose, or draw, I retire, so I’m not holding the division up. That’ll be something very exciting. And I think everyone should be on board on that.”
A potential showdown with Topuria could be complicated, though. The Spaniard recently lost the lightweight title to Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. If the American vacates the belt, Arman Tsarukyan could emerge as a leading contender for a vacant-title fight against Topuria.
However, Volkanovski’s involvement could change the picture. A rematch between the two champions, this time with the vacant lightweight title on the line, would be a major attraction for the UFC.
For now, Volkanovski appears focused on enjoying the final stretch of his career without holding up either division. Whether that means settling the score with Topuria or sharing the Octagon with Gaethje remains to be seen.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
