Volkanovski is cooking, in and out of the ring

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 24, 2026

Alex Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, extending his streak of title fights to 12 since 2019. This fight highlights Volkanovski’s ongoing commitment to the sport despite retirement rumors and coincides with the UFC debut of his longtime training partner Jay Thicknesse.

Alex Volkanovski, the Australian featherweight world champion, is preparing to defend his title against Russian wrestler Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 this weekend, marking his 12th consecutive title fight since 2019. Despite speculation about retirement, the 38-year-old champion remains focused on his career and shows no signs of stepping away from the sport.

Volkanovski, who has faced rumors suggesting he might retire following his victory over Diego Lopes in Sydney earlier this year, acknowledged that he is approaching the latter stages of his career but emphasized that he still feels strong and confident. Speaking from Abu Dhabi, he expressed a positive outlook for the upcoming fight, signaling his intent to continue competing at a high level.

“I know I’m at the back end of my career, but I’m feeling good,” Volkanovski said. “What I’m planning to do in this fight, I think we’re going again.” He stressed his confidence in his abilities without sounding overly boastful, stating, “I’m not a cocky dude, but I’m very confident in my skill and how I think this fight is gonna go.”

Another highlight of the UFC 333 card involves Volkanovski’s longtime training partner, Jay Thicknesse, who will be making his UFC debut against Asaf Chopurov. The two have a longstanding training relationship, with Thicknesse starting as a young trainee before advancing to become one of Volkanovski’s main sparring and wrestling partners.

Volkanovski reflected on their journey together: “I’ve been training with him since he came to the gym when he was very young. Then he became old enough to become a training partner and go through techniques. Then sparring and wrestling, and he’s been my main training partner ever since.” He expressed enthusiasm about sharing the UFC stage with Thicknesse, noting the significance of traveling and competing alongside a close associate. “To be on a card with him here in Abu Dhabi, to travel the world together and fight on a card, it’s pretty awesome. We’re stoked about it.”

The upcoming UFC 333 event marks another significant moment in Volkanovski’s career as he continues to solidify his position at the top of the featherweight division while mentoring the next generation within his training circle.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.