{"id":424458,"date":"2026-01-21T21:50:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/424458\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T21:50:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:50:08","slug":"alexander-volkanovski-cautioned-about-exciting-2026-gauntlet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/424458\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexander Volkanovski Cautioned About Exciting 2026 Gauntlet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alexander Volkanovski<\/a>\u2018s second run as UFC Featherweight Champion may be underway, but according to Jorge Masvidal, \u201cThe Great\u2019s\u201d road ahead is anything but forgiving. While Volkanovski has built a reputation as one of the most complete fighters of his era, Jorge Masvidal believes the division\u2019s next wave of contenders presents challenges that even the champion may struggle to overcome.<\/p>\n

Why Movsar Evloev\u2019s Relentless Wrestling Worries Masvidal Against Alexander Volkanovski<\/p>\n

Speaking on his podcast Death Row MMA,<\/a> Masvidal offered a blunt assessment of Volkanovski\u2019s outlook should he find himself matched up against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev or surging British standout Lerone Murphy. According to the veteran, those two represent a stylistic gauntlet that could define, or derail, Volkanovski\u2019s legacy at 145 pounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Volk beats either of those two guys to tell you the truth,\u201d the 41-year-old said of Alexander Volkanovski.\u00a0\u201cI think Movsar will be too much with the wrestling in a different way. I know he did amazing against Islam (Makhachev) with the wrestling, Volk, so that\u2019s saying a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, the Florida-native acknowledged Alexander Volkanovski\u2019s proven ability to neutralize elite grapplers, pointing to his performances against Makhachev. That said, he sees Evloev as a fundamentally different problem. While not as polished or technical as the lightweight champion, the Russian\u2019s relentlessness could change the rhythm of a fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Movsar could find a way to get to his legs and make it a dog fight,\u201d Masvidal explained. \u201cHe has a different pace than Islam. He\u2019s not as technical, I think, as Islam. He\u2019s not as savvy as Islam, but he\u2019s got more of a motor than Islam. He\u2019ll put up more attempts, and that could cost you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evloev\u2019s undefeated UFC run (19-0-0) has been defined by consistency rather than spectacle, with decision wins and grinding performances slowing his rise to a title shot. Still, Masvidal sees that pressure-based approach as a potential recipe for trouble against an aging champion.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u2018I See Volk Getting Caught\u2019 \u2013 Masvidal on Alexander Volkanovski vs. Lerone Murphy<\/p>\n

\u201cStreet Jesus\u201d was even more emphatic when discussing Murphy, who has surged into contention with explosive striking and physical advantages that few featherweights possess.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Murphy vs. Volk, I also see Volk getting caught,\u201d Masvidal said. \u201cI see Murphy right now getting him. Volk can\u2019t control this guy. I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be able take him down and hold him down. I\u2019d be surprised if he was able to take him down, hold him down. I\u2019d be thoroughly surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the feet, Masvidal believes Murphy\u2019s size, reach, and unpredictable offense could overwhelm Alexander Volkanovski \u2013<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the feet, this guy\u2019s way bigger, longer, crazy style of striking, explosive, and still very basic,\u201d he added. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t do dumb things and get himself hurt or put himself in harm\u2019s way. So I\u2019d go with Murphy for the title against Volk, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet Masvidal stopped short of dismissing Alexander Volkanovski\u2019s greatness altogether. In fact, he framed the challenge as an opportunity for immortality should the champion prove him wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Volk can pull this gauntlet off, greatest featherweight that ever lived, maybe fighter that ever lived, as well,\u201d Masvidal said. \u201cIf he could beat those next two dudes right there, that\u2019s interdimensional. Another level of greatness.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Alexander Volkanovski, the message is clear: The featherweight crown may still be his, but defending it against the division\u2019s most dangerous contenders could require the defining performances of his career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Alexander Volkanovski\u2018s second run as UFC Featherweight Champion may be underway, but according to Jorge Masvidal, \u201cThe Great\u2019s\u201d…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":407098,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[444],"tags":[49,48,641,638,82],"class_list":["post-424458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-fighting","tag-mma","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/424458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=424458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/424458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/407098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=424458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=424458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=424458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}