Should UFC’s Greatest Ever Walk Away at the Top? A Legend Thinks So…
UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar recently watched Alex Volkanovski’s latest title defense at UFC 325, where the Australian champion secured a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes in front of his hometown crowd in Sydney. While Edgar witnessed undeniable greatness in Volkanovski’s performance, he also saw a cautionary tale lurking in the shadows. But here’s where it gets controversial: Edgar believes Volkanovski should retire now, at the peak of his career, a move that would cement his legacy as one of the greatest featherweight champions of all time.
Edgar, speaking to MMA Junkie, expressed his admiration for Volkanovski’s dominance but argued that retiring as the undisputed champion is a rare privilege few fighters achieve. “I would love for Volkanovski to say, ‘I’m out, I’m leaving as the champion,’” Edgar stated. “Because who gets to do that nowadays? Nobody. Not many people get their flowers in this sport, unfortunately, and he’s in a position where he can.”
Edgar’s perspective is deeply personal. He understands the delicate balance between staying competitive and overstaying one’s welcome. In 2013, after earning another title shot following consecutive defeats, Edgar faced the legendary Jose Aldo, only to come up short. Later, at age 37 in 2019, he challenged Max Holloway for the belt, again falling short. These experiences have shaped his belief that Volkanovski has a unique opportunity to exit the sport on his own terms, a luxury few fighters ever attain.
And this is the part most people miss: Volkanovski’s recent win has reignited the GOAT debate in the featherweight division. Edgar acknowledges the difficulty of settling such a debate, especially when comparing fighters from different eras. “It’s so tough to pick the GOATs of these weight classes,” Edgar admitted. “In my era, it was Aldo without a doubt. Hands down. Then the next era, it’s without a doubt Alex.” He highlights the challenge of comparing fighters like Aldo and Volkanovski, who faced each other at vastly different stages of their careers.
Looking ahead, Volkanovski’s next title defense is expected to be against either Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy, two rising contenders in the division. Edgar believes victories over either fighter would further solidify Volkanovski’s legacy, especially as he begins to bridge the gap to the next generation of fighters. “I think it just shows how much of a force he was if he’s able to do that,” Edgar added.
However, not everyone agrees with Edgar’s assessment. Former UFC title challenger Kenny Florian believes Evloev, with his wrestling-heavy style and high-pressure game, could pose significant problems for Volkanovski. “Evloev brings a game similar to the guy that beat Volkanovski at 155 pounds,” Florian noted on The Anik Florian Pod. “That wrestling style, that high pressure, that conditioning is a style that can pose some problems for Volkanovski.”
Murphy, on the other hand, is confident he’s the one to dethrone the featherweight kingpin. After UFC 325, he told Ariel Helwani, “I really believe that Father Time catches up with everybody, and I think if I was in there, I would have gotten the job done.”
Here’s the burning question: Should Volkanovski retire now, securing his legacy as an undefeated champion, or continue to test himself against the next wave of contenders? Is Edgar’s advice wise, or is there still more for Volkanovski to achieve? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. The debate is far from over, and the MMA world is watching closely.
