Alexander Volkanovski has hinted that his next featherweight title defense may not happen until early 2026, despite strong calls for a clash with Lerone Murphy this December.
The Australian champion recaptured the UFC featherweight belt earlier this year at UFC 314, where he outpointed Diego Lopes in a five-round battle. Since then, speculation has swirled over who would be next. Movsar Evloev appeared to be in prime position, but Lerone Murphy’s knockout of Aaron Pico at UFC 319 quickly thrust him into the spotlight.
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Volkanovski revealed that the UFC might have different plans for his next fight.
It’s hard, I thought that’s what it was going to be, but there might be a spanner in the works,he said. February in Sydney, is it February?
The comment suggested a possible delay, with the promotion eyeing an Australian return early next year.
Lerone Murphy’s Immediate Reaction
Murphy, currently unbeaten in 18 professional bouts, responded quickly on social media. While he admitted the date might be shifting, he made it clear he remains focused on becoming the next challenger.
Murphy followed that post with two since-deleted messages, showing his frustration over the uncertainty. In them, he implied that his rising stock might make him too risky an opponent for Volkanovski at this stage.
The spanner isn’t me. I will fight him tomorrow. I understand, I am a very risky last fight. They will avoid me like the plague now because they know I have realized my potential,
Murphy’s Rise to Contention
The Manchester native has compiled an impressive 17-0-1 record, including victories over Josh Emmett, Dan Ige, and Edson Barboza. His highlight-reel spinning back elbow knockout of Aaron Pico solidified his place among the elite at 145 pounds.
Murphy now holds the No. 4 spot in the official featherweight rankings and has won nine straight since debuting in the UFC with a split draw against Zubaira Tukhugov in 2019.
Volkanovski’s Road Back to the Top
Volkanovski’s career trajectory has been a story of resilience. After back-to-back knockout defeats to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, “The Great” rebuilt himself. He reclaimed the vacant title by defeating Lopes at UFC 314, becoming a two-time featherweight champion.
Before that slump, Volkanovski had successfully defended the belt five times, cementing his place as one of the most accomplished fighters in the division’s history.
With the title back around his waist, Volkanovski appears determined to fight in front of his home fans in Australia, even if it means delaying a highly anticipated showdown.
What Comes Next for the Division
While uncertainty surrounds the timeline, Lerone Murphy remains the frontrunner for the next shot. Movsar Evloev is still undefeated, but his momentum has stalled. Jean Silva, once considered a dark horse, lost to Diego Lopes earlier this year. And Aaron Pico’s knockout loss to Murphy ended his hopes of fast-tracking to a title opportunity.
Murphy’s resume and momentum make him hard to ignore, but until the UFC confirms its plans, he will have to wait.
Final Word
The UFC featherweight title picture is heating up, but the champion’s next move remains uncertain. Alexander Volkanovski has not ruled out facing Lerone Murphy, but his comments suggest the matchup could shift to early 2026 in Sydney.
For Murphy, patience may be key. The undefeated contender has proven his worth with a string of wins, capped by a spectacular knockout that caught the division’s attention. Whether the fight happens in December or in February, one thing is clear: when Volkanovski and Murphy eventually meet, the featherweight crown will be on the line in one of the most intriguing title fights in years.
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