Should UFC’s Reigning Champ Hang Up the Gloves? A Legend Weighs In – And the Rising Star Who Could Shake Things Up
UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar witnessed Alex Volkanovski’s recent title defense at UFC 325, where the Australian champion secured a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes in Sydney. While Edgar saw undeniable greatness in Volkanovski’s performance, he also spotted a subtle warning sign. This dual perspective has led Edgar to make a bold suggestion: it might be time for Volkanovski to retire at the peak of his career.
But here's where it gets controversial... Edgar, a veteran who understands the delicate balance between staying competitive and overstaying one’s welcome, believes Volkanovski could cement his legacy by walking away as the undisputed champion. “I would love for Volkanovski to say, ‘I’m out, I’m leaving as the champion,’” Edgar told MMA Junkie. “Because who gets to do that nowadays? Nobody. Not many people get their flowers in this sport, unfortunately, and he’s in a position where he can.”
Edgar’s perspective is rooted in his own experiences. He attempted a similar exit in 2013 after earning a title shot following consecutive losses, only to fall short against Jose Aldo. Later, at 37, he challenged Max Holloway for the belt in 2019, again coming up short. “I was kinda trying it [what Volkanovski achieved] myself,” Edgar admitted. “The fact that he got it done makes it cool to say it can happen. That’s for all these fighters out there. You see a guy get it done once and you’re like, ‘All right, that’s attainable.’ He’s definitely motivating a lot of people out there.”
Volkanovski’s latest win has reignited the debate over who deserves the title of Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the featherweight division. Edgar, however, argues that settling this debate is nearly impossible. “It’s so tough to pick the GOATs of these weight classes,” he said. “In my era, it was Aldo without a doubt. Hands down. Then the next era, it’s without a doubt Alex. Even though they fought each other, they were at totally different stages of their careers, so it’s kind of hard to even compare these two.”
And this is the part most people miss... While Volkanovski’s dominance is undeniable, Edgar believes that facing younger contenders like Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy could further solidify his legacy. “I think it will because he’s a little bit long in the tooth now, and if he goes against these younger guys, he starts bridging into the next generation,” Edgar explained. “I think it just shows how much of a force he was if he’s able to do that.”
Meanwhile, former UFC title challenger Kenny Florian has identified Evloev as a potential threat to Volkanovski’s reign. “Evloev brings a game similar to the guy that beat Volkanovski at 155 pounds,” Florian noted on The Anik Florian Pod. “That wrestling style, that high pressure, that conditioning is a style that can pose some problems for Volkanovski. Striking-wise, Evloev has got to be careful, but I do think he has wrestling and grappling that can thwart a lot of Volkanovski’s offense.”
Murphy, on the other hand, is confident he’s the one to dethrone the champion. After UFC 325, he told Ariel Helwani, “I really believe that Father Time catches up with everybody, and I think if I was in there, I would have gotten the job done. That’s no disrespect to Volk, great fighter, obviously on top for a reason. But I have just seen a lot of things in there that I would have been doing.”
Thought-provoking question for you: Should Volkanovski retire now to preserve his legacy, or does he still have unfinished business in the octagon? Let us know in the comments below!
