A former UFC lightweight champion wants Alexander Volkanovski to hang up the gloves after his dominant win at UFC 325.
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski outpointed Diego Lopes for the second time in under a year last weekend at UFC 325. In a signature performance, Volkanovski shut down Lopes from start to finish in what was arguably one of the most dominant wins of his illustrious career.
Despite just turning 37 just a few months ago, Volkanovski remains in peak physical condition as he looks to turn away several of the division’s top contenders. Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev will fight in a consensus No. 1 contender bout at UFC London on March 21st.
But one UFC legend believes Volkanovski has nothing left to prove after UFC 325, and that the future UFC Hall of Famer should retire following his second win over Lopes.
Frankie Edgar: Alexander Volkanovski should hang up the gloves after dominant win
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Frankie Edgar weighed in on Volkanovski’s future after UFC 325 and took a surprising stance.
“I would love for Volkanovski to say, ‘I’m out, I’m leaving as the champion,’” Edgar said of Volkanovski.
“Because who gets to do that nowadays? Nobody. Not many people get their flowers in this sport, unfortunately, and he’s in a position where he can. I totally get why he doesn’t want to because he’s still competing and the best in the world.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Volkanovski was rumored to be considering retirement ahead of UFC 325, as he hinted in multiple pre-fight interviews. But Volkanovski doesn’t plan on walking away anytime soon, especially after his showing last Saturday in Sydney.
Volkanovski’s longtime coach, Joe Lopez, says the two-time UFC featherweight champ has about four fights left before he envisions the retirement of one of the sport’s all-time greats. But after recent knockout losses to Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, Edgar wants Volkanovski to consider walking away.
Edgar faced similar circumstances in the final chapter of his UFC career. Before hanging up the gloves at UFC 281, Edgar suffered brutal knockout defeats to Cory Sandhagen, Marlon Vera, and Chris Gutierrez.
Who do you believe Alexander Volkanovski will fight next? Let us know in the comments!