Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski is the greatest Australian combat sports athlete of all time, and the Wollongong product’s second reign as UFC Featherweight Champion is the most compelling argument that sheer will, tactical brilliance, and relentless cardio can overcome any obstacle the sport places in front of you. Born on September 29, 1988, of Macedonian and Greek descent, “The Great” began his athletic career as a semi-professional rugby league player — a background that explains the toughness, the cardio, and the absolute refusal to be broken by any opponent, regardless of reputation.

Volkanovski claimed the vacant featherweight title in April 2025 at UFC 314 with a unanimous decision over Diego Lopes, becoming the oldest male UFC champion between flyweight and lightweight at age 36. He then defended the belt against Lopes in the rematch at UFC 325 in Sydney on February 1, 2026, earning another Fight of the Night bonus with a dominant performance that answered every question about whether his best days were behind him. They are not. His two title victories over Lopes tie him with Jose Aldo for the most featherweight title wins in UFC history, and the fact that he is achieving these milestones in his late thirties makes the accomplishment even more extraordinary.

For Australian fans, Volkanovski is more than a fighter — he is a source of genuine national pride. His willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, in any division, combined with the kind of preparation and fight IQ that makes opponents look as if they studied for the wrong exam, has made him a global MMA icon. The kid from Wollongong who used to pack on weight for rugby league is now the best featherweight on the planet. That story never gets old.

Fight Record

Fighter Profile

Alexander Volkanovski fights in the Featherweight division with 28 wins from 32 UFC appearances — a record that places him among the most accomplished fighters in promotional history. The Wollongong native ranks in the top five of the men’s pound-for-pound list and is the greatest Australian to ever step inside the Octagon. At 37, with the belt around his waist and his legacy secure, “The Great” has earned the nickname. Every syllable of it.

VS — Chief sports columnist, australiafootball.com