Volkanovski Silences Doubters Who Thought He Was Fading at 38
Volkanovski put on an absolute masterclass at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. He didn’t just defeat the previously unbeaten challenger; he finished him at the 4:54 mark of round two. That stoppage defied the grim reality of age that usually haunts older fighters competing at the highest level. Historically, once a fighter hits 35 in the UFC, things go south fast.
Volkanovski, 38, clearly never got that memo. Historically, once a fighter hits age 35 in the UFC, title aspirations plummet. Legends like Dominick Cruz were violently finished when trying to capture gold past their mid-30s. Former champions like T.J. Dillashaw, Frankie Edgar, and Henry Cejudo all challenged for belts at age 35 or older and lost.
Throughout fight week, the 38-year-old champion promised violence and delivered exceptionally. According to UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Volkanovski actually guaranteed he was going to finish the fight in the second round—and he went out there and did exactly that. He had a personal reason for the early night, revealing he promised his wife a stress-free victory to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
How Volkanovski Handed Evloev His First Loss
Evloev entered the bout with a pristine 20-0 record. Early on, he found success by leaning on his wrestling and securing takedowns. But Volkanovski kept up a suffocating pace. He constantly fought his way back to his feet, refusing to let the Russian log any meaningful control time. Late in the second round, the champion found his striking rhythm. He landed a beautifully timed right hand, instantly following it with a left hook and a right cross that visibly rocked the challenger.
Unable to absorb more damage, Evloev turned away and covered up. Volkanovski swarmed him, sending the challenger to the canvas with a relentless barrage of ground-and-pound. The referee waved off the fight at the 4:54 mark, just six seconds before the horn. The knockout earned the champion a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Despite the finish, the aftermath was pure class. Evloev said the champion gets better with age like fine wine. Volkanovski returned the respect, commending Evloev as a tough challenge and admitting the Russian’s wrestling caught his attention during their exchanges.
What’s Next: Chasing The Lightweight Title at 38
Volkanovski is not done just yet. He is mapping out his endgame, and it might not take place in the 145-pound division. The champion revealed at the post-fight press conference that he wants to move up to the lightweight division. He is targeting a massive superfight against Justin Gaethje, or whoever is holding the 155-pound belt, to ride off into retirement.
He made it clear that a lightweight clash is exactly the type of bout he would love to retire on, regardless of the outcome. More importantly for the featherweight contenders, Volkanovski stated he has no intention of holding up the division while he chases lightweight glory.
Acknowledging that the sport isn’t getting easier at his age, he joked about saving the gritty, behind-the-scenes realities for a tell-all documentary. Volkanovski is actively redefining what is physically possible for older fighters in the modern UFC. He is creating a trail of statistics that will be incredibly hard to break in the 145-pound division.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.