Volkanovski says he notified UFC of plan to defend title vs Evloev in Aug/Sept

Alexander Volkanovski has told the UFC he wants to defend the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev sometime in August or September, though no official bout agreement has been announced by the promotion.

Volkanovski, 37, carries a 28-4 record and holds the featherweight championship while sitting third in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Australian, who trains out of Freestyle Fighting Gym, is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing nearly six significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate — numbers that rank among the elite in the 145-pound class.

Standing across from him would be Evloev, the division's top-ranked contender and the last remaining unbeaten fighter in the featherweight top ten. The 32-year-old Russian is undefeated at 20-0 and trains out of American Top Team. At five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, Evloev brings a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.91 significant strikes per minute and a notable 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him dangerous in multiple areas.

Why it matters

• Evloev's perfect record and number-one ranking make him the most credible contender currently in line for a featherweight title shot.
• A late-summer or early-fall target window suggests Volkanovski is targeting a return inside roughly three to four months of the report.
• The stylistic matchup pits Volkanovski's elite striking volume and accuracy against Evloev's combination of output and consistent takedown pressure.
• Because the UFC has not officially confirmed the bout, the timeline and opponent remain subject to change.