“See you in December,” promised reigning featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski to rising star Lerone Murphy back in August. But now, whispers suggest that “The Great” may be stepping away from that commitment. The two-time champion currently commands the spotlight in the 145-pound division, drawing interest from elite names like Movsar Evloev, Yair Rodriguez, and other top contenders. As of now, UFC matchmakers have yet to decide who will face him in his first title defense of his second reign.

Earlier this year, the Australian sensation made history when Ilia Topuria vacated the belt to move up to 155 pounds. At UFC 314,

Alexander Volkanovski battled Diego Lopes for the vacated featherweight title in a grueling five-round war. In the end, 36-year-old Volkanovski outstruck Lopes and claimed the championship, launching his second title reign. Not only did he reclaim the belt, but he also ended two curses, including Drake Cruise’s. Since then, he has yet to defend his title in his second reign atop the division.

Rumors swirl around Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev for next year

MMA critics, fans, and analysts have long hailed Movsar Evloev as the perfect challenger for Alexander Volkanovski. Last summer, the undefeated Russian star was supposed to fight newcomer Aaron Pico. However, just before UFC 319, Evloev pulled out of the bout, which allowed Lerone Murphy to step in on short notice. Despite the limited preparation, ‘The Miracle’ rose to the occasion and dismantled the former PFL star with a spinning elbow in the first round—so much so that ‘The Great’ promised Murphy a December showdown.

Now, recent updates show that top-ranked contender Movsar Evloev will take that spotlight instead. Australian MMA insider Benny P reposted the news on X: “BREAKING: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev is officially signed to main event #UFC323 on December 6th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.” However, Benny P later clarified that Volkanovski is “almost guaranteed” a Sydney PPV in February, not in December in Las Vegas, which caused confusion among fans, as well as for Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy.

With the latest update, it seems Dana White and the UFC are strategically looking to maximize their seven-year broadcasting deal with Paramount, just as they did with Ilia Topuria’s return update. Meanwhile, a closer look at resumes shows that Movsar Evloev’s record carries more weight, having faced elite-level opponents such as former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes.

Lerone Murphy, in contrast, has gone up against veterans like Josh Emmett, Edson Barboza, Dan Ige, and Aaron Pico—fighters who mostly sit outside the top 10 in the division. While Benny P’s update remains unconfirmed by Dana White and the UFC, it appears that ‘the Great’ already has a dream fight mapped out in his mind.

Who is Volkanovski’s dream opponent?

Alexander Volkanovski currently reigns over the featherweight division, but nearly a decade ago, that throne belonged to Conor McGregor, whose dominance captured the world’s attention. By the time ‘the Great’ arrived on the scene, McGregor had already moved up to lightweight and ventured into the boxing ring. Since returning to the UFC, McGregor’s journey in the promotion has never matched the glory of his past, with the Irishman last stepping into the Octagon in 2021.

In 2023, sparks flew between Alexander Volkanovski and McGregor when the Australian star accused McGregor of harboring jealousy. “I am doing things he never has,” Volkanovski declared, daring McGregor to step up for a fight. McGregor responded on social media, but the bout never came to fruition. Now, with McGregor setting his sights on a UFC return next year, the tantalizing prospect of a “fight money” clash with Volkanovski has resurfaced.

Speaking on The Unscripted Show, Alexander Volkanovski offered praise for the Irishman: “He was a great fighter,” he said. “He was actually even a bit ahead of his time. He was really good. I don’t think people give him credit. He was sharp, and all of that’s gone now. He’s gonna be reasonably sharp, but he’s never gonna be that same Conor McGregor….Probably Conor, man (I would pick to fight), a lot of people are gonna sit there and be like, ‘Oh yeah Conor is a boring answer’ but he was in the featherweight division, that era when he was just an absolute superstar.”

What’s your take on a Conor McGregor vs. Alexander Volkanovski featherweight clash? With McGregor still holding two fights on his UFC contract, a matchup with Volkanovski could serve as a blockbuster event while potentially leaving his final bout open for a high-profile appearance, such as at the White House.