Alexander Volkanovski shares why he fights and what is on his mind before his walk to the cage Volk has been one of the most loved fighters in the history of the UFC and the fact he is a strong family man is no surprise, and the reason he steps in that cage is not for legacy or belts, it's about being the most successful as possible for his family The story of Volk from previous Rugby player to now UFC champion is one to be remembered and is facing one of his toughest challenges at UFC 333 vs undefeated monster Movsar Evloev @kalshi gives Volkanovski a 51% chance of being champion by the end of the year
Alexander Volkanovski says his drive to keep fighting comes from his family rather than any pursuit of legacy or gold, as the featherweight champion prepares for a title defense against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.
The Australian has long been one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster, and his devotion to his family is well known. By his own account, he steps into the cage to be as successful as he can be for the people closest to him, not to add to his place in the record books or collect more belts.
Volkanovski's rise from rugby player to UFC champion remains one of the sport's more memorable career arcs. The 38-year-old, nicknamed The Great, holds a 28-4 record and sits third in the pound-for-pound rankings. He trains out of Freestyle Fighting Gym and is known for volume and precision, landing 5.99 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. At five-foot-six with a 71-inch reach, he usually gives up size at the top of the division and makes up for it with pace and technique.
Evloev presents a different kind of test. The 32-year-old Russian, who trains at American Top Team, is 20-0 and ranked number one at featherweight. He has built his unbeaten run on wrestling, averaging 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes, and he strikes at a measured 3.91 significant strikes per minute with 47 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Evloev is the top-ranked contender and has never lost, so the bout is a genuine title-level challenge.
- The matchup pits Volkanovski's high-output, accurate striking against Evloev's takedown-heavy approach.
- Kalshi reportedly gives Volkanovski a 51 percent chance of being champion at the end of the year, a sign of how closely the fight is viewed.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev
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