A UFC Icon Wants Alexander Volkanovski to Retire
At UFC 325 last Saturday, Alexander Volkanovski demonstrated he still has plenty left in the tank. Fighting in front of his home crowd in Sydney, the two-time featherweight champion once again defeated Diego Lopez, replicating the five-round victory that ended Lopez’s title ambitions last April. The January 31st headliner showcased another stellar performance from the Australian favorite. However, UFC legend Frankie Edgar, despite remaining competitive at 37, believes it’s time for Volkanovski to step away.
Frankie Edgar Urges Volkanovski to Retire After UFC 325
As a former lightweight champ who retired after three back-to-back knockout losses, Edgar knows the dangers of pushing too far in MMA. Having been knocked out by Chris Gutierrez in November 2022 and losing six of his last eight bouts, he advises Volkanovski to seize the moment while still at the top.
“I want Volkanovski to say, ‘I’m out, I’m leaving as champion,’” Edgar told MMA Junkie. “Who else can do that now? Very few fighters manage to retire on top, and he’s in that rare position.” He conceded that Volkanovski’s reluctance is understandable given he’s still competing at the highest level and remains the best in the division.
Volkanovski Clarifies Retirement Rumors, Plans to Keep Fighting
Despite Edgar’s hopes, it appears Volkanovski isn’t ready to retire. Ahead of UFC 325, the champ dismissed retirement chatter. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Volkanovski said, “I don’t know where those rumors came from. If I suffered a brutal loss, I might consider retirement, but that’s not in my plans.” He revealed he’s eager to get back in the cage, possibly against an undefeated contender, a matchup he finds enticing and a potential chance to end his career on a high note. For now, his focus is on recovering well from the latest fight and preparing for future challenges.
Fan Take: This exchange between a UFC legend and the current champ highlights the ongoing debate about the right time to retire in a grueling sport like MMA. For fans, Volkanovski’s decision to continue competing means more thrilling fights ahead, while also reminding us how precious and fragile a champion’s legacy truly is.
