UFC 314 has come and gone, leaving fight fans with a night to remember at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The card delivered on all fronts, but the headline-grabber was the triumphant return of featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski. In a high-stakes, five-round battle, Volkanovski put on a masterclass to defeat Diego Lopes and reclaim the vacant featherweight title. It was a performance that not only made him the only two-time undisputed 145lbs kingpin but also silenced the doubters, who questioned whether his time at the top had passed.

With the win, Volkanovski slammed the brakes on Lopes’ momentum—many had tipped the Brazilian as the next big thing in the division. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement! Talk about breaking that ‘over 35’ curse or fulfilling his promise to his daughters, the Aussie ace attained greatness. And all of this after two tough years that saw Volkanovski suffer back-to-back defeats to Islam Makhachev at lightweight and lose his featherweight crown to Ilia Topuria, the 36-year-old reminded the world exactly who he is.

This victory signals the beginning of a fresh chapter for Alexander Volkanovski—one that wipes away the sting of past setbacks and firmly reestablishes him at the top of the featherweight division. Even Islam Makhachev—the very man who handed him two of those recent defeats—showed his respect. The reigning lightweight champion took to X to write, “Congrats @alexvolkanovski. Great comeback! Real champ in sport and life 🏆.” Makhachev had posted another heartfelt message earlier on his Instagram story. “Congrats, legend.”

Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev share a unique rivalry, having faced each other twice with ‘Volk’ moving up both times. Their first encounter came at UFC 284 in Volkanovski’s homeland of Australia. Although Makhachev successfully defended his 155lbs title, the bout was a razor-thin contest with Volkanovski pushing him to the brink. They had a rematch at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi where Makhachev was originally scheduled to fight Charles Oliveira. But when the Brazilian was forced out due to a cut above his eye, Volkanovski stepped in on 11 days’ notice.

That night, things played out very differently. The Dagestani sensation landed a clean head kick in the opening round that knocked Volkanovski out cold—sending him into the shadow realm. The loss was brutal, and worse was yet to come. Just months later, Volkanovski was dethroned at featherweight by Ilia Topuria, who handed him another crushing knockout defeat. But now, with Topuria vacating the title, Volkanovski stands tall once again—spearheading a new era in the featherweight division.

Whether this resurgence lasts or not remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fire still burns within him. Yet, even amid this revival, one lingering regret continues to haunt Volkanovski’s legacy. Let’s dive into it.

What is Alexander Volkanovski’s biggest regret?

Fans often view the life of an MMA athlete from the outside as a world of spotlight, recognition, and financial rewards. But the reality is far more complex. The journey to the top requires immense pressure, and even when fighters reach their peak, their challenges aren’t over. They must constantly fend off rising stars eager to take their place. The physical demands are obvious, but it’s the mental resilience that truly keeps fighters at the top.

This mental strain, often left unspoken, was brought to light by Khabib Nurmagomedov when Demetrious Johnson asked about his son’s future in the sport. ‘The Eagle’s response was powerful: He doesn’t want his son to follow in his footsteps, choosing instead gymnastics over martial arts, illustrating the heavy toll the sport takes on both the body and mind.

Ahead of UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski shared his own struggles with finding peace in his career. He said, “I’ve always been the guy to build up to the fight, win it, and then feel emotional relief once it’s over. But I haven’t properly enjoyed it as a human being.” Volkanovski’s sentiment is not unique—veteran fighters like Nick Diaz and Chael Sonnen have also admitted to not fully appreciating their achievements, despite reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

What’s your take on Alexander Volkanovski’s performance at UFC 314? Do you think “The Great” can continue to defend his legacy against the hungry new contenders in his division for as long as he desires? Share your thoughts below.