‘The Symptoms Were Worse' – Volkanovski's Confession Catches Fans Off Guard

Yahoo

11-07-2025

'The Symptoms Were Worse' – Volkanovski's Confession Catches Fans Off Guard originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Alexander Volkanovski is back on top. After a brutal stretch filled with back-to-back losses and tough questions about whether the fire was still there, he silenced all the noise at UFC 314 by recapturing the featherweight title. It was a gutsy performance, one that reminded everyone exactly who he is. But behind the victory and the cameras, Volkanovski has been carrying something far heavier than a championship belt.
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During a recent sit-down with Demetrious Johnson on the MightyCast YouTube show, Volkanovski cracked the door open on what he's really been dealing with. And he didn't hold back.
Alexander VolkanovskiGetty Images
He spoke openly about the aftermath of his toughest fights—one against Islam Makhachev, the other against Ilia Topuria—and which one truly rattled him.
'I feel like I had more of a concussion from the Islam fight, even though I was knocked out longer with Ilia,' Volkanovski admitted. 'I had a lot more of the symptoms in that one. I should have had the break.'
The words hit differently when they come from a fighter known for his toughness. Volkanovski has never been the type to make excuses, which makes this reveal all the more sobering. He didn't just lose—he felt off. Dizzy, drained, and fighting the kind of fog you can't train your way through.
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Even though Topuria landed the clean knockout with a punch, and Makhachev finished him with a head kick, it was the earlier Makhachev war that left the deeper scars. It's a reminder that the hardest hits aren't always the ones that drop you.
Even fans are voicing concern. One Reddit user put it plainly:
'He was KO'd 2× in 4 months, plus whatever mini concussions he got training. He really should take a full year off.'
It's the kind of sentiment that mirrors what Volkanovski himself admitted—sometimes, even the toughest need to pause.
Now champion once again, Volkanovski finds himself at a new crossroads. Will he take the cautious route, or stay in that high-stakes cycle of quick turnarounds and top contenders? While nothing's locked in, Volkanovski himself has expressed interest in facing rising contender Movsar Evloev—an undefeated talent climbing the ranks quickly.
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Either way, Volkanovski has made one thing crystal clear: he's still here, still hungry—but this time, he's listening to his body just as much as his heart.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.