Volkanovski's Coach Weighs Retirement Talk Before UFC 333

Alexander Volkanovski's longtime coach says retirement is very much on the table if the featherweight champion loses at UFC 333, but he doesn't think a defeat would actually end "The Great's" career.

Joe Lopez, who has trained Volkanovski for years at the Central Coast Fight Alliance, addressed the topic after Volkanovski himself raised the possibility of walking away depending on how his title defense against Movsar Evloev goes. UFC 333 is scheduled for October 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where Volkanovski (28-4) puts his featherweight belt on the line against the undefeated Evloev (20-0).

"At the end of the day, it's his decision, not mine," Lopez said. "We'll discuss it with him obviously and go through it but knowing Alex, if he loses, he'll go, 'I don't want to go out on a loss and I want to come back and get it back. Come back on a win.' I just know how competitive he is."

Why Volkanovski's Retirement Timeline Matters Now

Volkanovski has been open about being in the final stretch of his career, and Lopez's comments confirm that the topic isn't hypothetical anymore, it's a live conversation inside his own camp. Lopez made clear the call belongs to Volkanovski alone, but he was blunt about the tension that creates. "It's a fine line or a two-edged sword that we're playing here," he said.

That tension is rooted in how competitive Volkanovski is. Lopez said he would have been fine seeing Volkanovski retire after his first fight with Diego Lopes, a sign that his corner has been thinking about the exit for a while now. But he also doesn't expect a loss to Evloev to be a clean off-ramp, because he believes Volkanovski's instinct will be to chase the title back rather than walk away on a defeat.

On the physical side, Lopez pushed back on any notion that Volkanovski is fading. "Alex always comes in well prepared, and he's looking probably better and stronger than he has done in a long time," he said, which suggests camp has gone well heading into a five-round championship fight against an opponent who has never lost in the UFC.

Betting Angle

Evloev enters UFC 333 unbeaten at 20-0 and finally cashing in a title shot he's been chasing for years through volume and control-based wins, not highlight finishes. That style profile, heavy on grappling exchanges and decision wins, tends to make him a live underdog in these spots even against a bigger name, and bettors should expect the number to reflect a competitive pick-em or modest Volkanovski favorite rather than a blowout line. The retirement subplot adds a real psychological layer for anyone leaning on live-betting or round props: if Volkanovski senses trouble late, Lopez's read suggests he'll press for a finish rather than coast to a decision loss, which could matter in the championship rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Alexander Volkanovski retire if he loses at UFC 333?

Volkanovski has hinted he could retire depending on the outcome, but his coach Joe Lopez believes his competitive nature means he'd more likely try to win the belt back than walk away after a loss to Movsar Evloev.

When is UFC 333 and who is fighting?

UFC 333 takes place October 24, 2026 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, headlined by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev.

What is Movsar Evloev's record heading into UFC 333?

Movsar Evloev is 20-0 and has never lost in the UFC, making his title shot against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 333 his first crack at UFC gold.