I will not retire after Lopes fight – Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski says he will not retire after his featherweight title defence against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 on Saturday.

Australian Volkanovski is regarded as one of the greatest featherweights of all time and will match Jose Aldo’s record of eights wins in title fights if he triumphs at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Asked if he could dispel rumours of retirement, Volkanovski said: “I don’t know where it’s come from. I know a lot of people are saying it.

Volkanovski became a two-time champion with victory over Brazil’s Lopes in April.

“I’ve got a tough fight ahead of me,” said Volkanovski.

“I’m going to get my hand raised and then hopefully a quick turnaround – hopefully minimal damage so I can get right back in there.”

Volkanovski, wearing an apron in a nod to his cooking hobby, was cheered raucously by his home fans throughout the news conference.

After the face-off with 31-year-old Lopes, the pair shook hands before Volkanovski gave him his apron.

Volkanovski beat Max Holloway for his first belt in 2019 and defended it five times before defeat by Ilia Topuria last year.

Following Topuria’s move to lightweight and vacation of the title, Volkanovski regained it with a unanimous decision win over Lopes.