Following UFC 325, the discussion surrounding the greatest featherweight in MMA history has taken on new clarity. For Daniel Cormier — former UFC double champion and now one of the sport’s most respected analysts — Alexander Volkanovski has moved beyond dominance. He has entered the realm of all-time greatness.
At home in Sydney, Volkanovski secured his eighth successful title defense with a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes. While the win itself was significant, it was the champion’s mindset that stood out most to Cormier. In a division where contenders are often avoided based on style or risk, Volkanovski continues to operate without calculation.
“Nobody wants to fight Movsar Evloev. Nobody wants to fight Lerone Murphy. Volk simply says: if they’re next, then they’re next,” Cormier explained. For him, this willingness to face the most dangerous challengers defines what separates a champion from a legend.
Daniel Cormier: Why Alexander Volkanovski is the greatest featherweight of all time
ألكسندر فولكانوفسكي… أعظم وزن ريش في التاريخ كما يراه دانيال كورمييه
Alexander Volkanovski, le poids plume de référence selon Daniel Cormier
(Via @dc_mma ) pic.twitter.com/VVEo1D4n08
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 3, 2026
The numbers reinforce that argument. With eight successful title defenses, Volkanovski has now matched José Aldo’s long-standing record in the featherweight division. More importantly, four of those victories came against Max Holloway and Aldo themselves — two fighters widely regarded as the greatest featherweights of previous eras. This isn’t dominance built in a weakened division, but supremacy established against elite opposition across generations.
The physical toll of Volkanovski’s reign was evident in his latest outing. Diego Lopes, pushed to the limit over five intense rounds, was hospitalized after the fight due to serious injuries. A stark reminder of the level of pressure and damage associated with facing the reigning champion.
Cormier’s assessment ultimately raises a deeper question: is greatness defined solely by records, or by a champion’s readiness to embrace the hardest challenges available? In that respect, Alexander Volkanovski appears to have set a new benchmark — not just for his era, but for the entire history of the featherweight division.
