Volkanovski contemplating retirement after UFC 314 against Lopes

Alexander Volkanovski hinted that he could call it quits after UFC 314, with the former featherweight champion giving an insight into his retirement timeline on Thursday.

The Australian takes on Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight belt in the Miami main event in April, but the 36-year-old says that he may not have much left in the tank beyond his next fight.

“I don’t know how much longer I have left in this,” Volkanovski said.

“I probably could go a few more years.

“I’m thinking of winning the belt, then defending.

“Even winning, I’m thinking of, ‘You know what, I’m done.’

“Because how much longer do I want to do this?

“This ain’t easy, especially to be at a level that I’m at, where my expectations, my normal, is very hard work.

“It hurts, you’re in pain, you get stuck in.

“That’s what it takes to be elite and be the best and be at the top. I accept nothing but that. So it ain’t easy.”

UFC bookmakers have the featherweight title fight neck-and-neck, with Volkanovski narrowly favoured to win $1.72 to $2.10 at Marantelli Bet.

Prevail and the Aussie will improve his UFC record to 14-3.

Lose and he will slip to three consecutive losses for the first time in his career, with four losses from his last five fights.

Volkanovski himself admits that he is not certain whether UFC 314 will mark the end for him or not.

“I’m really looking forward to that, but I want to have one last crack and get really stuck into it,” he said.

“Win that belt, defend it, maybe defend it again. Maybe one big fight after a defence, we’ll see.

“Then maybe I’m done. That’s sort of where we’re at.

“But I want to be active as soon as I get this belt.

“When I get it back, I’m like, ‘Alright, when we doing this next one? Who is it? Movsar [Evloev], you ready? Let’s go.’

“A couple of months after, whatever, I’m ready.

“That’s what I’m expecting to do.”

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