{"id":943230,"date":"2026-10-27T22:30:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T22:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/943230\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T22:30:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T22:30:10","slug":"ufc-legend-alexander-volkanovski-teases-ilia-topuria-rematch-before-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/943230\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Legend Alexander Volkanovski Teases Ilia Topuria Rematch Before Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski is days removed from defeating Movsar Evloev <\/a>in the main event of UFC 333 <\/a>in Abu Dhabi. Now, three days later, the conversation has quickly shifted to what’s next for the Australian.<\/p>\n

It appears the UFC is just as open to whatever Volkanovski wants to do next as the champion is himself. In an Australian-based media scrum<\/a> after the second-round TKO stoppage last Saturday, Volkanovski teased welcoming Ilia Topuria back to the featherweight division (or moving up to lightweight again).<\/p>\n

Topuria’s run at lightweight was short-lived, as Justin Gaethje beat Topuria<\/a> in June at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

Right now, it remains unknown whether Gaethje will choose to retire or remain lightweight champion. If the UFC were to stripe Gaethje, Volkanovski said he’d be interested in a rematch for the vacant title in an attempt to avenge his lone loss over a two-year period.<\/p>\n

Alexander Volkanovski would welcome an Ilia Topuria rematch, but says the matchmaking may not fit his plans for one final fight at lightweight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it was going to be for a lightweight title, that\u2019d be great, because I get that win back as well. Gaethje took that zero, so I\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/XdDLjl66Kx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf it was going to be for a lightweight title, that\u2019d be great, because I get that win back as well. Gaethje took that zero, so I can\u2019t say that I get the chance to take that zero from him,” Volkanovski said. “But to get that win back would be great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Volkanovski said he has immense respect for Topuria, but ultimately, he said it comes down to returning the favor when all is said and done.<\/p>\n

Could Topuria-Volkanovski 2 Happen?\"Volkanovski-Topuria<\/p>\n

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria moves in with a hit against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

“Nothing against him, obviously; he’s a great fighter, a great dude, and we get along well,” Volkanovski said. “But at the same time, I’m a competitor, and I would love to test myself against him.”<\/p>\n

Topuria has remained quiet since his loss to Gaethje, despite releasing occasional training footage<\/a> in recent months.<\/p>\n

Either way, Volkanovski said he’s down for a superfight as he approaches 40. Volkanovski, 38, has been competing in world title fights since Dec. 2019, dominating the featherweight division for the better part of five years.<\/p>\n

Ilia Topuria Could Retire Alexander Volkanovski With Second Win\"Ilia<\/p>\n

Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Ilia Topuria (red gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) during the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House South Lawn. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Topuria moved to lightweight to pursue a future fight with Islam Makhachev, who became the welterweight champion last November. With Topuria’s loss to Gaethje, the fight could still happen, but it would likely need a champ vs. champ build-up attached to it.<\/p>\n

For now, Volkanovski has nothing to lose and everything to gain with a win over Topuria. He could retire on top or pursue a trilogy, as the series would be tied at a fight apiece.<\/p>\n

Regardless of what the UFC pushes for next, the possibilities are limitless.<\/p>\n

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