Alexander Volkanovski Announces Move to Lightweight Division to Challenge Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski sent shockwaves through the MMA world today by announcing his decision to vacate the UFC featherweight championship and move permanently to the lightweight division to challenge Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title. The Australian fighter, who has dominated the featherweight division for four years, made the announcement during a press conference in Sydney, citing his desire for new challenges and legacy-defining fights.

Volkanovski's decision comes after months of speculation about his future following his close decision loss to Makhachev in their lightweight title fight last October. The former champion has maintained that he won that bout and deserves an immediate rematch, a claim that has gained support from fans and analysts who scored the fight in his favor. "I know I beat Islam last time, and I'm ready to prove it again," Volkanovski stated. "The featherweight division doesn't have any fights left that truly excite me. It's time to focus on becoming a two-division champion."

The move opens up the featherweight division for the first time since 2019, when Volkanovski defeated Max Holloway to claim the title. During his reign, the Australian successfully defended the belt six times against elite competition including Holloway twice, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez. His decision to vacate creates opportunities for contenders like Ilia Topuria, Josh Emmett, and Arnold Allen, who have been waiting for their championship opportunities. UFC President Dana White confirmed that an interim featherweight title fight will be scheduled within the next three months.

Makhachev, who has held the lightweight title since 2022, welcomed the challenge while acknowledging Volkanovski's credentials as one of the sport's elite fighters. The Dagestani champion has successfully defended his title three times, most recently against former interim champion Justin Gaethje in January. "Volkanovski is a great fighter and former champion," Makhachev said through his manager. "If he wants another chance at lightweight, I'm ready to show him that the result will be the same."

The stylistic matchup between Volkanovski and Makhachev has been praised by analysts as one of the most technically intriguing fights possible in mixed martial arts. Volkanovski's boxing-heavy approach and takedown defense will be tested against Makhachev's world-class grappling and improved striking under the guidance of coach Islam Abdulmanap. Their previous encounter was universally acclaimed as one of 2025's best fights, featuring multiple momentum swings and high-level technique from both competitors.

Volkanovski's move to lightweight permanently also reflects the evolution of modern MMA, where fighters increasingly chase legacy fights rather than remaining comfortable in single divisions. At 35 years old, the former rugby player understands that his championship window is limited, making this the ideal time to pursue ambitious goals. His training team at City Kickboxing has already begun adjusting his preparation for the size and strength advantages he'll face at lightweight.

While no official date has been announced for the rematch, sources suggest it could headline UFC 310 in December, giving Volkanovski time to properly prepare for the weight class transition. The fight represents a crucial moment for both fighters—Makhachev seeking to prove his first victory wasn't a fluke, and Volkanovski attempting to cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. For MMA fans, the prospect of watching two elite champions compete at their absolute peak makes this one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory.