Alexander Volkanovski Aligns with Rainbet for UFC Season

Alexander Volkanovski continues to keep the UFC fanbase engaged thanks to his storied career, including titles, defeats, and a rise back to the top of the featherweight division. The Australian fighter gained his reputation from hard work and good decisions. He has partnered with Rainbet as well, connecting his image with one of the leading sportsbooks in combat sports betting.

This has happened at a time when Alexander Volkanovski proves once again that experience and preparation can overcome many difficulties in the Octagon. On October 24, 2026, he won against the previously undefeated Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, and defended his featherweight title.

From Rugby to Mixed Martial Arts

Volkanovski was not planning on being a UFC champion when he first started with sports. He was born in Wollongong, Australia. He initially developed his athleticism by playing rugby. He was competitive and enjoyed contact sports. Rugby helped him build up his strength and discipline before he got started with mixed martial arts. He began his MMA career at the age of 23, mainly to stay fit between rugby seasons. What started as a side sport eventually ended up becoming much more.

Mixed martial arts is not an easy sport to succeed in as fighters need to develop many skills such as striking, wrestling and grappling.

He would also have to figure out how his skills and fighting style played against competitors with different builds and backgrounds. He had good sports skills from a young age to build upon, but he would have to train for MMA in an entirely new way.

Building a Career Before the UFC

He turned professional in the mixed martial arts sport in the year 2012. Most of his fights were regional in Australia before Volkanovski made his way to the UFC. Through this he gained experience and developed himself away from the limelight that champions mostly face. Prior to finding his ground at featherweight, he experimented with other weight divisions. At featherweight, it was his strength, speed, and control of the fight that became critical for him. He won several fights and gained self-confidence to become a versatile fighter.

His first fight in the UFC was in November 2016 against Yusuke Kasuya. Volkanovski managed to win by technical knockout in the second round. From then on, he kept winning and gaining momentum. His growth did not result from any particular move or performance. It has been the result of consistent development in many facets of his sport.

Winning the Featherweight Championship

The major turning point in Volkanovski’s career came when he faced Max Holloway at UFC 245 in December 2019. Holloway was one of the best in the division at that time. It seemed to be a difficult match for the Australian, considering that his opponent was known for his constant pressure. Volkanovski had to disrupt that pattern throughout the entire match.

Despite the challenge, he won via unanimous decision and became the UFC featherweight champion. This victory marked the beginning of the champion reign, lasting for several years. Even more important, it proved that Volkanovski could defeat the fighters who were already at the top of the sport. To become a champion is not easy and to stay on top is even more difficult since all challengers analyze the champion’s style.

The Rivalry with Max Holloway

This rivalry played an important role in his first championship reign as well. The first bout was quite a tough one, and there were numerous speculations on who could win the fight. The second bout took place at UFC 251 in July 2020. Volkanovski won the bout once again by split decision, being quite patient and making the right decisions during this hard-fought bout.

The third bout between the two took place at UFC 276 in July 2022, and once again Volkanovski emerged victorious via a unanimous decision, thus completing a 3-0 clean sweep of Holloway. In all three bouts, Volkanovski made adjustments to his strategy to fight against him.

Taking the Challenge at Lightweight

In February 2023, Volkanovski decided to switch to lightweight to fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Thus, Volkanovski got an opportunity to win another title against an athlete from a heavier weight division. This move meant that Volkanovski would have to face new difficulties such as the additional strength. Despite this, he took the risk rather than staying where he proved his worth in many previous matches.

He lost the match by unanimous decision, but it was a tough and competitive one. However, the result did not prevent him from continuing his career of facing the best opponents. That year he agreed to participate in a short-notice rematch against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, but was knocked out in the first round. It was a difficult defeat after all those previous victories.

• In February 2023, Volkanovski moved up a weight class to challenge Islam Makhachev in lightweight at UFC 284 for his other championship. Volkanovski lost by a unanimous decision. 
• At UFC 294, Volkanovski accepted a rematch offer, but he was knocked out in the first round.

Losing the Belt and Finding a New Route Back

Volkanovski suffered a major blow at UFC 298 in February 2024. He fought against Ilia Topuria and lost the featherweight title by being knocked out in the second round. This brought an end to his reign as the champion. This defeat marked the beginning of a new phase in his career. The question that remained was what Volkanovski was going to do now and whether he would be able to regain his status as the champion.

As Topuria vacated the featherweight title to pursue other opportunities at lightweight, Volkanovski took on Diego Lopes for the vacant title at UFC 314 in April 2025. He won the fight by a unanimous decision in the fifth round and became the two-time UFC featherweight champion. Volkanovski used his movement, striking and experience to gain control. He later faced Lopes once again at UFC 325 in January 2026 and won again.

What Makes Volkanovski Difficult to Beat

Volkanovski is an athlete who fights with balance. He is able to go on the offensive and put pressure on his opponent, but he is also able to retreat and make his opponent do the work. Volkanovski’s striking skills are based on good footwork and angle changes. Volkanovski wins with better decision-making and more effective strikes.

His defense and awareness are of great importance for him. In case his opponents decide to take the bout to the ground, he tries to minimize their dominance and find opportunities to return to offense. Conditioning allows him to make decisions throughout the whole bout, and experience allows him to sense changes in his opponents’ strategy.

This was once again shown in his bout with Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. Evloev went into the bout undefeated and was known as an excellent grappler. However, Volkanovski got into the groove and won over Evloev in the second round.

UFC 333 Victory

Volkanovski’s win over Evloev was not just a routine defense of his title. It was a victory over an undefeated challenger, a true test for the champion. Evloev had made his reputation by consistent performances and was expected to put up a tough fight due to his grappling skills. The first round was uneventful, but Volkanovski dominated the second round. A well-executed combination forced Evloev to go to the cage, where Volkanovski finished him off with unanswered punches to stop the fight with six seconds left in the round. This victory put an end to Evloev’s 20-fight professional winning streak.

Timing was also important. Volkanovski had already recovered from losing a championship fight and then regaining his belt. He successfully defended it against Lopes. Volkanovski’s win over Evloev confirmed that he is still one of the best featherweights in the sport.

How Fight Promotions Connect Fans and Sportsbooks

UFC events involve fighters, media, sponsors, fans and betting sites. Everyone has their own reasons to pay attention to the fight, but the fight itself is the main event people look forward to. A famous fighter can become a signal for the audience to pay attention to a promotion and seek additional information. From the sportsbook perspective, a famous fighter with many titles is an opportunity to create a campaign.

UFC and Betting Responsibly

The odds of the UFC indicate what the market expects to see happen. The odds can change as the event approaches if any new information comes up concerning a fighter’s fitness, training or strategy. Markets have different outcomes that they pay attention to; some are concerned with who wins, others with how they win or whether the match will go the full distance. It is always recommended to look at the rules regarding each market before making a decision. Knowing the core of the market is far more important than deciding what to do based on a headline or promotion.

Those who wish to compare markets can use Rainbet’s Mixed Martial Arts Sportsbook to get UFC odds & bet today. This is intended for adults aged 18 or older who are legally permitted to gamble in their jurisdiction. It does not guarantee profits or predict the outcome of any contest. 

Gambling involves risk regardless of your research efforts. If you choose to gamble, set a clear budget, do not wager using money you can’t afford to lose and avoid chasing your losses through further betting. Rainbet also provides resources on responsible gambling.

What Comes Next for Alexander Volkanovski

Volkanovski defended his title again and proved to be very successful in his matches. He has faced different challenges because there are always skilled opponents in the featherweight division. Every opponent is different and needs a different approach.

It’s also interesting to look at his personal story in detail. Volkanovski started with rugby and then moved to MMA and managed to become champion in the UFC. He also once lost his belt and had to deal with many difficulties. His experience and skill eventually led him to become a champion once again. There’s always been some evolution in his training regimen, tactics and strategies.