Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alexander Volkanovski

How Alexander Volkanovski built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alexander Volkanovski is an Australian mixed martial artist, currently the two-time UFC Featherweight Champion. He is the second Australian to win a UFC title. Prior to joining the UFC, he was the Australian Fighting Championship Featherweight champion and briefly competed as a professional boxer. As of June 2025, he is ranked #6 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings and is considered one of the greatest Featherweights of all time.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: Mick Cronin Medal

In 2010, Alexander Volkanovski was awarded the Mick Cronin Medal as the league's best player while playing semi-professional rugby league for the Warilla Gorillas.

2011: Warilla Gorillas Premiership Win

In 2011, Alexander Volkanovski played a crucial role in Warilla's Premiership winning season and received the Man of the Match award.

2012: MMA Career Begins

In 2012, Alexander Volkanovski started his MMA career as an amateur at middleweight.

2015: Professional Boxing Career

In 2015, prior to his UFC debut, Alexander Volkanovski competed as a professional boxer.

July 2016: Signing with the UFC

In July 2016, Alexander Volkanovski signed with the UFC after fighting in various MMA organizations in the Oceania region in Asia.

November 2016: UFC Promotional Debut

In November 2016, Alexander Volkanovski made his UFC debut with a TKO win against Yusuke Kasuya at UFC Fight Night 101.

June 2017: Featherweight Win Against Mizuto Hirota

On June 11, 2017, Alexander Volkanovski faced Mizuto Hirota at UFC Fight Night 110, winning by unanimous decision.

November 2017: UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura

In November 2017, Alexander Volkanovski faced Shane Young at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura, winning by unanimous decision after multiple opponent changes due to injuries and visa issues.

February 2018: Technical Knockout Victory

On February 11, 2018, Alexander Volkanovski defeated Jeremy Kennedy via technical knockout at UFC 221.

July 2018: UFC Fight Night Victory Against Darren Elkins

On July 14, 2018, Alexander Volkanovski defeated Darren Elkins by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 133.

December 2018: Victory Over Chad Mendes

On December 29, 2018, Alexander Volkanovski defeated Chad Mendes via technical knockout at UFC 232, earning the Fight of the Night award.

May 2019: Victory Against Jose Aldo

On May 11, 2019, Alexander Volkanovski faced former featherweight champion José Aldo at UFC 237 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

December 2019: UFC Featherweight Championship Victory

On December 14, 2019, Alexander Volkanovski faced Max Holloway for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 245 and won via unanimous decision.

July 2020: First Title Defense Against Max Holloway

On July 11, 2020, Alexander Volkanovski defended his UFC Featherweight Championship in a rematch against Max Holloway at UFC 251, winning by split decision, a result considered controversial by many.

April 2021: The Ultimate Fighter 29 Coaches

On April 2, 2021, it was announced that Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski would be the coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 29 on ESPN+.

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September 2021: UFC Featherweight Championship Win Against Brian Ortega

On September 25, 2021, Alexander Volkanovski faced Brian Ortega at UFC 266 for the UFC Featherweight Championship and won via unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night award.

April 2022: UFC 273 Win Against Chan Sung Jung

On April 9, 2022, Alexander Volkanovski defeated Chan Sung Jung via TKO at UFC 273, earning the Performance of the Night award and second place in the Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" award.

July 2022: UFC 276 Victory Against Holloway

On July 2, 2022, Alexander Volkanovski won his trilogy bout against Max Holloway at UFC 276 via unanimous decision, also earning the Crypto.com Fan Bonus of the Night second-place award, which paid the bitcoin equivalent of US$20,000.

February 2023: UFC Lightweight Championship Challenge

On February 12, 2023, Alexander Volkanovski moved up a weight class to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 284 but lost the fight via unanimous decision; he earned the Fight of the Night award.

July 2023: UFC Featherweight Championship Unification

On July 8, 2023, Alexander Volkanovski returned to featherweight and faced interim featherweight champion Yair Rodríguez in a title unification bout for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 290, winning via TKO in round three.

October 2023: Short Notice Rematch

On October 21, 2023, Alexander Volkanovski faced UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev in a rematch at UFC 294 on 10 days notice as a replacement for an injured Charles Oliveira, losing by head kick knockout in round one.

January 2024: Scheduled Fight with Ilia Topuria

In January 2024, Alexander Volkanovski was initially scheduled to face Ilia Topuria on January 20, 2024, to defend his UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 297 before the short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev.

February 2024: Championship Loss to Ilia Topuria

On February 17, 2024, Alexander Volkanovski lost the UFC Featherweight Championship to Ilia Topuria by knockout in the second round at UFC 298.

April 2025: UFC Featherweight Championship Win Against Diego Lopes

On April 12, 2025, Alexander Volkanovski faced Diego Lopes for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 314 and won by unanimous decision, earning another Fight of the Night award. At the age of 36, he is the first UFC fighter to win a title over the age of 35 between the flyweight and lightweight divisions.