Alexander Volkanovski's story begins with a detail most people find hard to believe: he was a professional rugby player before discovering MMA at 23 and losing 40 pounds to compete at featherweight. Within five years, he was UFC Featherweight Champion. He lost the title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, then watched Topuria move up to lightweight. Volkanovski stayed at featherweight and did what champions do -- he came back stronger.
At UFC 314 in April 2025, Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes to reclaim the UFC Featherweight Championship. The comeback was completed. Volk is once again "The Great" -- two-time featherweight champion with one of the most dominant title reigns in divisional history already on his resume.
His three-fight series with Max Holloway produced some of the best featherweight fights in history. He also challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 284, coming close in a fight that elevated both fighters. The reclamation of the featherweight title cements his legacy as the greatest Australian fighter in UFC history.
- UFC Featherweight Champion (reclaimed title at UFC 314, Apr 2025, beat Diego Lopes)
- Two-time UFC Featherweight Champion
- Three-fight series with Max Holloway (3-0)
- Challenged for UFC Lightweight title against Islam Makhachev
- Former rugby league player who started MMA at 23
- One of the longest featherweight title reigns in UFC history
- 01Lead leg switch kick
- 02Jab to double-leg level change
- 03Body lock from the clinch
- 04Right hand counter over the top
- 05Head movement to level change
- 06Teep to reset space for the double-leg
Volkanovski lost the belt, watched the new champ move up a weight class, and came back to reclaim what was his. Late-bloomer rugby player to two-time UFC featherweight champion. The comeback story is the whole lesson. Tell your kids this one.