What about long-reigning UFC featherweight champions who had their careers ended in brutal fashion?
First it was José Aldo, who was finished off by Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, and now it’s Alex Volkanovski’s turn to wonder if father time has caught up with him.
The 35-year-old Australian, who many consider the greatest 145-pound fighter the sport has ever seen, was violently knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in Anaheim, California.
Topuria landed a right hook to Volkanovski’s chin midway through the second round to end his streak of 1,526 days atop the pision.
It also saw Volkanovski knocked out for the second fight in a row and lose for the third time in four outings, although two of those came at the hands of Islam Makhachev as they fought for the lightweight title.
So what’s next for Volkanovski? Did the result signal a changing of the guard at featherweight or can “The Great One” take the title back from him?
What’s next for Alex Volkanovski?
It will not be a surprise to those who have followed his career, but Volkanovski, always active, wants a rematch.
Immediately after the fight, the Australian confirmed that he would be willing to do it in Spain, Topuria’s adopted country.
Volkanovski later told reporters that he felt he deserved another chance against the new champion.
“I’ve been champion for a long time and I want that rematch, you know?” Volkanovski said.
“It’s something that has to happen: I’ve been the reigning champion for how long, I’ve been a bit of a company man.
“I retreated on short notice and fought Max. [Holloway] three times. You name it, I’ve done it.
“I deserve it [rematch] and next time it will be different.”
If the UFC grants his wish, the timing of the fight could be important.
The loss to Topuria came just under four months after his stoppage loss to Makhachev, courtesy of a head kick.
Even before the fight with “El Matador,” some were suggesting that Volkanovski was bouncing back too soon from a knockout loss.
When you listen to Volkanovski speak recently, you get the sense that he’s aware of how much time he has left.
Much has been made of male fighters over 35 in the lighter weight classes: in championship fights at 170 pounds and under, younger fighters now have a record of 22-1.
In your rush to fight as often as possible before slowing down, you may have flown too close to the sun.
Beyond Topuria, it’s hard to see what opponent he might face again.
He has proven that he is head and shoulders above the rest of the featherweight pision, while most of the top lightweights are tied, and he is unlikely to get another title shot as long as Makhachev is champion.
If there is a rematch with Topuria, what would be Volkanovski’s ideal schedule?
He clearly needs some time to recover from the knockout, but, at 27 years old, Topuria is only going to get better and history is not on the side of older fighters in rematches, particularly in a pision like featherweight.
If Volkanovski’s significant legion of fans are looking for positives from UFC 298, it can be argued that he was winning the fight. Until it froze.
The New South Welshman’s fighting IQ is legendary, while he and his team have generally made the necessary adjustments and game-planned to perfection for each opponent.
Would it be surprising if Volkanovski pulled off what would now be considered a surprise if they met again? Not precisely.
Would it hurt to see one of the greatest of all time stopped for the third time in a row? Absolutely.
The California State Athletic Commission, which presided over the weekend’s event, publishes payouts for all fighters, so we know Volkanovski took home $750,000 (AU$1.147 million) before any PPV bonuses.
As a result of stepping forward to confront Makhachev at the last minute in October, fox sports revealed that Volkanovski was able to negotiate a lucrative new contract.
Few could blame him for wanting to continue fighting and establish his family’s future.
While there is plenty of evidence of fighters taking to the run later in their career, they happen almost exclusively among the greats.
Volkanovski has already proven countless times that he is not your average athlete, fingers crossed he can pioneer a wrestling renaissance in the lighter weight classes.
