MMA
Alexander Volkanovski's coach discusses potential retirement after UFC 333
Published
2 months agoon
alexvolkanovski on InstagramAlexander Volkanovski's coach Joe Lopez has talked about ‘The Great' possibly retiring if things go south at UFC 333.
At UFC 333, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Movsar Evloev. While it may not be the most thrilling fight in the eyes of the masses, Evloev has certainly earned the right to get a crack at the world title.
RELATED: UFC 333 officially announced with two incredible title fights in Abu Dhabi
Volkanovski, meanwhile, knows that he is in the twilight of his career, but that isn't what matters to him right now. He wants to focus on cementing his legacy as one of the greatest featherweights of all time, which he has been doing for a while now.
However, after Volkanovski hinted that he could retire if things go poorly at UFC 333, his coach Joe Lopez had his own view on the subject.
Volkanovski's coach talks retirement
“At the end of the day, it's his decision, not mine,†Lopez told Submission Radio of Volkanovski. “We'll discuss it with him obviously and go through it but knowing Alex, if he loses, he'll go, ‘I don't want to go out on a loss and I want to come back and get it back. Come back on a win.' I just know how competitive he is. I just know the way he is so it's a fine line or a two-edged sword that we're playing here.â€
“I was happy after the first Diego fight, I would have been happy if he went out then,†Lopez said. “Every fight is a gamble. The thing is Alex always comes in well prepared, and he's looking probably better and stronger than he has done in a long time.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Do you believe Volkanovski will retire from mixed martial arts this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
You may like
MMA
Movsar Evloev warns Alexander Volkanovski: He hasnt beaten anyone like me
Published
14 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Evloev says he has pushed himself harder than ever ahead of his
first UFC title shot.
Evloev (20-0) is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski (28-4) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the
bout, the unbeaten Russian discussed how his preparations have
differed from previous training camps.
Movsar Evloev details toughest training camp ahead of Alexander
Volkanovski title fight at UFC 333
Evloev said he increased his workload across all aspects of
training to address any potential weaknesses. He believes that
preparation will help him showcase his abilities in Saturday's main
event.
“This preparation is different just because I pushed more than
ever,†Evloev said in a pre-fight interview. “And we did more of
everything to make sure we didn't miss anything. He hasn't beaten
anyone like me. There's many things that make me special, like
unique. And I'm about to show it Saturday.â€
Evloev has long been considered a leading featherweight contender,
with Volkanovski acknowledging him as the most deserving
challenger. However, Diego Lopes
received a title rematch against Volkanovski earlier this year
before Evloev earned his opportunity. The Russian's lack of UFC
finishes has fueled debate about his wait for a championship bout,
though the promotion has not established it as the reason for the
delay.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Movsar
Evloev (@MovsarUFC) discusses his journey to the title shot and
his title fight matchup against champ Alexander
Volkanovski @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi |
@ParamountPlus https://t.co/fWuJJ7I2sz— UFC News (@UFCNews)
October 21, 2026
MMA
Joshua Van: Sean Strickland ‘in a bad spot’ in Dana White feud over UFC pay
Published
15 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Joshua Van sides with UFC boss Dana White in his public feud with Sean Strickland.
For Van, the UFC's flyweight champion, the matter should have been discussed behind closed doors instead of a public forum like social media.
“He just signed a contract in May and fought Khamzat, and then he won,†Van told Outta Pocket. “Instead of going on Twitter and going on all that [expletive], he should have talked to Dana and said, ‘I wanna renegotiate.' Behind closed doors. Then the boss would have been like, ‘OK, let's talk about this, what you want?' You just beat the boogeyman. Now it's a whole mess.â€
“If you work at a 9-to-5 job and you go off to your boss and you're like, pay me this much. Like, what the [expletive]? You know what I mean? So he's in a bad spot right now. He's still under the contract. I don't know how that's gonna work.â€
A 25-year-old flyweight champion who started his professional MMA career when Strickland already had 14 UFC bouts under his belt, Van agrees with Strickland that fighters should get paid more.
However, he doesn't sound unhappy with his current UFC contract. Van recently defended his 125-pound belt with a decision over Alexandre Pantoja, his third title bout win in a span of 10 months, including a fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event of Chimaev vs. Strickland.
“I'm getting paid good,†Van said with a laugh. “I think they pay me good amount; I don't know, but fighter that think they deserve more or—like, should we get paid more? Yes, but, I don't know, I'm happy where I'm at. I start from zero to now, the UFC literally made me where I'm at, gave me everything that I got right now. I don't know, I'm happy right now. I can't really say for the other guy.â€
MMA
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
Published
1 day agoon
October 22, 2026
Rocky Marciano vs Mike Tyson: A Clash of Speed and Stamina in Boxing History
WBC World Title Bout: Smith vs Puello – A Clash of Champions
Navarrete vs Foster: Title Unification Predictions and Analysis
Trending
-
MMA2 days agoAlex Pereira admits he feels bad for Herb Dean following recent criticism
-
MMA2 days agoAlex Pereira admits he feels bad for Herb Dean following recent criticism
-
MMA2 days agoUFC 333 press conference video
-
MMA2 days agoTJ Dillashaw predicts Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili trilogy at UFC 333
-
Boxing2 days agoFormer Heavyweight Champion Warns Fabio Wardley: Retirement Crucial for Health
-
Boxing2 days agoJoe Cordina Set to Face Manny Pacquiao in Exciting Showdown
-
Boxing2 days agoShakur Stevenson Gains Eddie Hearns Support as Matchroom Promotions Discussions Start
-
Boxing1 day agoVergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Keith Thurman PPV Fight Set for December 5


