Lightweight is the only challenge left for Alexander Volkanovski

Australia's Alexander Volkanovski (C) celebrates after defeating Russia's Movsar Evloev in their men's featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi early on October 25, 2026. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Alexander Volkanovski did it again at UFC 333, dominating a much younger contender in Movsar Evloev to defend his featherweight title for the seventh time over two reigns (watch the highlights here). After two bad losses to Islam Makhachev and a brutal KO by Ilia Topuria, there were a lot of questions as to whether Volk was done. This latest featherweight title run has answered those questions definitively.Now the question is what does the 38-year-old Volkanovski have left to prove? The UFC has already thrown popular brawler Diego Lopes at him twice, and now technical wrestler Evloev fell before “The Great” in two rounds. Does anyone doubt he could do the same to Jean Silva and Lerone Murphy? Those fights feel as much a foregone conclusion as the second Lopes fight."I said if I didn't take too much damage we probably will keep going, so maybe we keep going!" – @alexvolkanovski 👀[ #UFC333 | LIVE on @paramountplus ] pic.twitter.com/YQESrPPl2i— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 24, 2026Seeing Volkanovski continue to dominate at featherweight would be impressive. So few fighters are content to stay in their lane and keep defending their belt as long as possible. But watching age fell Volk rather than talent feels less satisfying than seeing him hang up the gloves on top without the typical two to three bad losses at the end of his resume.The only other intriguing option is another move up to lightweight to try and claim the 155 pound belt. There’s no shame in how Volk failed to take the title when Islam Makhachev was champion. Another go against Justin Gaethje would be something to behold. Or if Gaethje retires, a fight with Arman Tsarukyan or Ilia Topuria would also be fascinating.With this latest dominant win, Volkanovski has some good options in front of him. It really depends on what the UFC is willing to do with him. True greatness has already been achieved. Double champ status is the only thing we really think is worthy of the time and effort Volk clearly puts into each training camp. Otherwise, there’d be few wins better than the Evloev one to walk away on a high note.