Fighter of the Month
Alexander Volkanovski
Born in Australia, he turned pro in 2012 and reached the UFC in November 2016. He's 38 and still the man at 145.
2016 · 2019
Seven straight to a title shot
He won his first seven in the UFC, beating Chad Mendes and José Aldo along the way, then took the belt from Max Holloway at UFC 245. The waiting list for "rematch" was already forming.
2020 · 2023
Five defenses, one argument closed
Holloway twice more, Ortega, Jung and Rodriguez. By UFC 276 he was 3-0 against Holloway, which tends to end debates.
2023 · 2024
Three losses in a row
He lost twice to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the second by first-round knockout, then lost his title to Ilia Topuria by knockout at UFC 298.
UFC 314 · UFC 325
Champion again, at 36
With the belt vacant, he beat Diego Lopes over five rounds in a Fight of the Night, then beat him again. Most knights retire to write memoirs; this one rewrote the ending.
Oct. 24, 2026 · UFC 333
Six seconds to spare
He stopped the previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev at 4:54 of Round 2 for his second defense and a Performance of the Night bonus. The retirement committee has adjourned again.
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