What if Alexander Volkanovski loses at UFC 333? Exploring his options
Alexander Volkanovski isn't planning on losing his featherweight title at UFC 333, but there's always a possibility, and his options afterward are slim.
Alexander Volkanovski takes on Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. The bout marks the second title defense of 'The Great's' second reign as the UFC featherweight champion. While he's planning to win and is likely to emerge victorious this weekend, what happens if he loses?
There are only two options for Alexander Volkanovski
As one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world and, at one point, the very best, Alexander Volkanovski has never lacked in either confidence or skill. He's as well-rounded as they come, and uniquely difficult to outwrestle and outgrapple due to his stumpy stature, tremendous physical strength, and exceptional counter-wrestling. Movsar Evloev will present a tough challenge as an undefeated grappler, but the odds of him beating 'The Great' are low. But if it happens, if he dethrones Volkanovski as the featherweight champion at UFC 333, what does Volkanovski's path moving forward look like? It all depends on how he loses.
Evloev has a knack for winning incredibly close matchups and hasn't had a truly dominant UFC performance against anyone who matters. His majority decision win over Lerone Murphy at UFC Fight Night 270 was controversial, as were his unanimous decision wins over Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes at UFC 310, UFC 297, and UFC 288 respectively. If he has a close fight with Volkanovski and manages to just get by with a win, perhaps via split-decision, the most likely follow-up would be an immediate rematch for Volkanovski, who has reigned over the division uncontested for years, besides a brief second-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.
It would be the least the UFC could do for him.
If he loses more dominantly? Even worse, if he becomes the first fighter Evloev finishes in the UFC? The probable consensus would be that Volkanovski needs to retire. He's 38 years old, and if he gets finished by a fighter who is notorious for not finishing anyone of UFC caliber, then it would be clear that he just doesn't have it anymore. There would be no dream fight with Justin Gaethje for the lightweight belt, because justifying a title shot in a division above off a loss has rarely ever worked.
It's understandable that Volkanovski is fed up with the MMA community calling on him to retire, but if he gets dominated this weekend, he may have no other choice.
