“Everyone has a different clock, Wait for your time,” a timeless saying that resonates even within the Octagon. As time passes, some fighters, like Dustin Poirier, are nearing the final chapters of their careers, while others, such as Israel Adesanya, are grappling with the challenge of regaining their winning form later in their journey. On the other hand, fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, who is in the same age bracket as Poirier and Adesanya, are at varied stages in their careers.

Poirier is expected to retire soon, Adesanya aims to get back on track, and at 36, Alexander Volkanovski triumphed at UFC 314, becoming a two-time champion. He shattered two long-standing myths—the “Drake curse” and the “35 and over curse“—becoming the first fighter to secure a UFC title after turning 35 in the lighter weight classes. ‘The Great’ has now embarked on a new phase of his career, preparing for his first title defense in his second reign, proving to critics that age isn’t necessarily a limiting factor.

However, as former UFC referee Big John McCarthy points out, “Father Time is undefeated.” On his Weighing In YouTube podcast, McCarthy shared his perspective on Alexander Volkanovski’s perceived decline, despite his recent victory over Diego Lopez. He explained, “You could sit there and say, ‘Well, Father Time kind of helped Alexander Volkanovski in his last fight.’ You know, he did good, but you could see even in Volkanovski’s win against Diego Lopez, there were signs of him changing as a fighter. He’s not the same guy he was when he beat Max Holloway the first time….He’s not that guy anymore. He has to fight differently.”

Despite the victory, Diego Lopez was not on the Aussie’s level in terms of fight IQ. While Alexander Volkanovski adapted his strategy and rhythm throughout the five-round bout, the Brazilian remained predictable, sticking to a one-dimensional style. Joe Rogan, analyzing the fight, criticized Lopez’s approach, suggesting the blame lay with him. Rogan said, “It’s the lack of level changes, the zero attempted takedowns, the lack of calf kicks, and just always looking for the home run. You didn’t see a lot of jabs out of him.”

Lopez, focused on landing a knockout, couldn’t match ‘The Great’s versatility, and in the end, Volkanovski pushed him to the limit, winning by the unanimous decision. Now, even as the Australian nears the twilight of his career, age doesn’t seem to be a limiting factor. As the reigning champion, he must continue to defend his title, even against the younger, rising stars in the division.

Who is next for Alexander Volkanovski?

UFC 314 can certainly be called the event for the featherweight division, with not only the headline bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopez but also four other featherweight matchups on the card. One of those fights featured Yair Rodríguez, who emerged victorious against newcomer and former PFL star Patricio Pitbull. Rodríguez has unfinished business with ‘The Great’ from 2023, and while he remains a strong contender, Volkanovski’s options are far from limited to just the Mexican fighter. Undefeated Russian sensation Movsar Evloev is also patiently waiting for his opportunity at the title.

When it comes to his future opponents, Alexander Volkanovski is open to whoever Dana White and the UFC decide for him. In his post-fight press conference, theAussie was candid, saying, “Yair looked great. I hear that he was saying he wanted a title shot. He’s a good dude. I like him a lot. If the UFC wants to give it to him, I’m not gonna stop that. I’ll be honest, before that fight I didn’t think he would get a shot. But now that he’s calling for it, I’m not the one to say no. I’ll leave everything to the UFC. Obviously, you’ve got guys like Movsar, who’s undefeated. I’d love to take that zero.”

With Alexander Volkanovski nearing his 40s, what are your expectations for the Australian sensation? Do you think he can continue to perform at his current level against someone like Movsar Evloev? Share your thoughts below.