Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski remained the UFC featherweight champion with a second-round technical knockout win over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.
Volkanovski, 38, continues to defy the conventional wisdom of aging in the 145-pound division. In a weight class that is usually dominated by younger talent, he just set the record for most UFC featherweight title wins with nine.
The champion's win streak since losing back-to-back title fights against Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria has added another impressive chapter to his legacy.
Now the division's focus turns to who is next. The division has a few interesting contender and there is, of course, the opportunity for superfights for a star like Volkanovski.
Volkanovski's Next Best Fights
1 of 2
- Justin Gaethje
- Jean Silva
- Aljamain Sterling vs. Kevin Vallejos winner
What is left for Volkanovski to prove? That's the driving question behind what is best for the champion.
He's already made his case as the most dominant featherweight of all time. Adding another title defense there will just pad a legacy that is already established.
The 38-year-old has already done what he can do in the division. What he hasn't done is make a successful move up to lightweight. He gave Islam Makhachev a tough five-round fight in his first attempt and was knocked out in the first round of the rematch.
A fight against Justin Gaethje would give Volk one last shot at being a two-division champion. He's already called for the fight publicly.
If Gaethje isn't interested and the champion has to stay at featherweight, then Jean Silva is the cleanest matchmaking. The Brazilian is 7-1 since siging with the UFC in 2024 and he doesn't have a fight booked.
If brass feels like he hasn't done enough then the winner of the scheduled Nov. 21 bout between Aljamain Sterling and Kevin Vallejos should be considered.
Evloev's Next Best Fights
2 of 2
- Jean Silva
- Kevin Vallejos vs. Aljamain Sterling loser
- Youssef Zalal
Movsar Evloev came up short in his first title bid, but this isn't the last we've seen of him. The 32-year-old earned his title shot with a 20-0 record that included wins over Lerone Murphy, Arnold Allen and Aljamain Sterling.
Of course, some of those names are still toward the top of the pecking order in the weight class. Rematches could be inevitable, but Jean Silva stands out as the top option that wouldn't be a rematch.
Silva has potential as the next title challenger. He's 7-1 since his UFC debut in 2024. If Volkanovski decides to pursue the lightweight title again then it would make sense for Silva to fight Evloev to sort out the division.
Evloev could also have his eye on the Nov. 21 bout between Kevin Vallejos and Sterling. He already has a win over Sterling, though, so Vallejos would be the more intriguing matchup.
Youssef Zalal would be a bit of a bounce-back fight. He's coming off a loss to Sterling, but he's another ranked option that doesn't have a fight scheduled right now.
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