Alexander Volkanovski Keeps Defying Age at 38: What Other UFC Greats Were Doing at the Time?

Alexander Volkanovski continues to compete at the elite level at age 38, defending his UFC featherweight championship against an undefeated 20-0 challenger. His sustained run at the top prompted an examination of how other legendary MMA fighters fared at the same stage of their careers, with many already retired or facing severe setbacks.

While champions like Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Demetrious Johnson had retired before or by 38, others experienced late-career turbulence. Jon Jones retired after winning at UFC 309, Anderson Silva suffered a broken leg at UFC 168, and Valentina Shevchenko recently vacated her flyweight title due to injury. Meanwhile, Amanda Nunes prepared for an Octagon return at age 38.