Alexander VolkanovskiPlayer·Alexander Volkanovski says the UFCCompetition·UFC is taking longer than expected to lock in his next featherweight title defence, but the champion still expects clarity once the promotion gets through a crowded stretch of major events. Volkanovski has pointed to late summer or September as the most likely window, with Movsar EvloevPlayer·Movsar Evloev increasingly positioned as the man next in line.
The Australian champion said the current schedule is being driven by the organisation’s biggest fixtures, including UFC 250Competition·UFC 250 and Conor McGregorPlayer·Conor McGregor’s planned return at UFC 329Competition·UFC 329, which leaves other title fights waiting their turn. Volkanovski explained that he understands the delay and believes the picture should become clearer after the weekend’s card concludes.
Volkanovski is also set to attend the White HouseVenue·White House gala to support his teammate Mauricio RuffyPlayer·Mauricio Ruffy, who meets Michael ChandlerPlayer·Michael Chandler in a key lightweight bout. For now, the champion is watching the wider UFCCompetition·UFC calendar as much as his own division, knowing that the next move may be shaped as much by timing as by rankings.
He said he wants an announcement, but more importantly a confirmed fight, and made clear that September remains the most talked-about option. That would place him around UFC 331Competition·UFC 331, though he is also open to waiting until after his 38th birthday on 29 September if that is what the schedule requires.
The bigger question is the opponent. Earlier this year Volkanovski had wanted one of the undefeated contenders at featherweight, Movsar EvloevPlayer·Movsar Evloev or Lerone MurphyPlayer·Lerone Murphy, only for the UFCCompetition·UFC to match him instead with Diego LopesPlayer·Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325Competition·UFC 325 while Evloev and Murphy fought each other. Evloev won that bout by majority decision in March, extending his perfect record and strengthening his claim to a title shot.
Volkanovski said Evloev has done enough to earn the opportunity and framed the matchup in simple terms: he wants to face the No. 1 contender. With Evloev now the clear favourite to challenge for the belt, the division appears to be moving toward a direct contest between the reigning champion and the unbeaten Russian, even if the exact date still depends on the UFCCompetition·UFC’s wider schedule.
MMA fighter Alexander Volkanovski at a Sportsbet promotional event for the 2026 World Cup. (AAP/IMAGO)
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