Islam makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovsky No. UFC 294. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter UFC
Next Saturday (17), Alexander Volkanovsky takes action in the main fight of the UFC 298 looking for the sixth defense of the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg). Beyond the undefeated challenger Ilia TopuriaHowever, the Australian needs to fight against another important factor: the 'curse' of 35 years old.
Although it is not such an advanced age for practicing sports, 35 years old is a milestone in terms of success in title fights in the history of the UFC, especially when it comes to the organization's lighter divisions, among the flyweights (up to 56,7 kg ) and welterweights (up to 77,1 kg).
Of 25 title fights involving athletes above this age group in the history of these divisions, only two were won by fighters over 35 years old.
A fact that makes the survey even more impressive is that the two victories of the 'veterans' were achieved by the same athlete: Tyron woodley, and only one of them against a younger opponent. When he was 35 years old, in 2019, Woodley defended his welterweight belt against the even older Demian Maia, with 39 at the time. The following year, at the age of 36, the former champion defended his title again, this time against a young Darren till, aged 25 years.
Himself Alexander Volkanovsky has already been a victim of the “curse”. Days after turning the dreaded 35th birthday, the Australian replaced Charles of the Bronx in a fight for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) against Islam makhachev, UFC 294, and ended up brutally knocked out by the Russian.
This Saturday, Volkanovski has the chance to become the second man to break this 'curse' and defend his title against Ilia Topuria, only 27 years old.
Check out all the results of title fights involving athletes over 35 years old in the men's flyweight and welterweight divisions:
Fly weight:
Brandon Moreno derrotou Deiveson Figueiredo No. UFC 283 (Photo: Playback / Instagram)
Joseph Benavidez (35) lost to Deiveson Figueiredo in 2020.
Joseph Benavidez (35) lost to Deiveson Figueiredo in 2020.
Deiveson Figueiredo (35) lost to Brandon Moreno in 2023.
Bantamweight:
TJ Dillashaw was defeated by aljamain sterling at age 36 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)
Urijah faber (37) lost to Dominick Cruz in 2016.
Dominick Cruz (35) lost to Henry Cejudo in 2020.
TJ Dillashaw (36) lost to aljamain sterling in 2021.
Henry Cejudo (36) lost to aljamain sterling in 2023.
Feather weight:
A. Volkanovski (right) knocked out Z. Coreano (left) in the UFC 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Kenny Florian (35) lost to José Aldo in 2011.
Frankie Edgar (37) lost to Max Holloway in 2019.
Korean zombie (35) lost to Alexander Volkanovsky in 2022.
Josh Emmett (37) lost to Yair Rodriguez in 2023.
Lightweight:
C. Do Bronx defeated M. Chandler for the UFC lightweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Tony Ferguson (36) lost to Justin gaethje in 2020.
Michael chandler (35) lost to Charles of the Bronx in 2021.
Alexander Volkanovsky (35) lost to Islam makhachev in 2023.
Welterweight Weight:
L. Edwards (left) beat K. Usman in the UFC 278. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter
Pat Miletich (35) lost to Carlos Newton in 2001.
Gil Castillo (37) lost to Matt hugs in 2002.
Tyron woodley (35) defeated Demian Maia (39) in 2017.
Tyron woodley (36) defeated Darren till in 2018.
Tyron woodley (37) lost to Kamaru Usman in 2019.
Jorge masvidal (35) lost to Kamaru Usman in 2020.
Jorge masvidal (36) lost to Kamaru Usman in 2021.
Kamaru Usman (35) lost to Leon edwards in 2022.
Kamaru Usman (35) lost to Leon edwards in 2023.
Colby covington (35) lost to Leon edwards in 2023.
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