Alexander Volkanovski Fights 2 Opponents at UFC 298

Is Alexander Volkanovski the one to break the mold?

At 35 years-of-age, Alexander Volkanovski faces a new challenger whenever he makes a championship appearance in the UFC, a so-called "curse" which has befallen many UFC veterans.

Fighters aged 35 and over --- in men's divisions below middleweight --- have a record of 2-23 in title fights (including interim). The sole individual to secure victories at the age of 35 or older while weighing under 185 pounds is Tyron Woodley, against Demian Maia and Darren Till.

UFC fighters aged 35+ years in title fights below Middleweight

Data courtesy of Alexander Volkara France on X

Name	Weight	Age	Defeated by
Joseph Benavidez	Flyweight	35 years	Deiveson Figueiredo
Joseph Benavidez	Flyweight	35 years	Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo	Flyweight	35 years, 34 days	Brandon Moreno
Urijah Faber	Bantamweight	35 years	Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz	Bantamweight	35 years	Henry Cejudo
T.J. Dillashaw	Bantamweight	36 years	Aljamain Sterling
Henry Cejudo	Bantamweight	36 years	Aljamain Sterling
Kenny Florian	Featherweight	37 years	José Aldo
Frankie Edgar	Featherweight	37 years	Max Holloway
The Korean Zombie	Featherweight	35 years	Alexander Volkanovski
Josh Emmett	Featherweight	37 years	Yair Rodriguez
Tony Ferguson	Lightweight	36 years	Justin Gaethje
Michael Chandler	Lightweight	35 years	Charles Oliveira
Pat Miletich	Welterweight	35 years	Carlos Newton
Gil Castilo	Welterweight	37 years	Matt Hughes
Demian Maia	Welterweight	39 years	Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley	Welterweight	36 years	Kamaru Usman
Jorge Masvidal	Welterweight	35 years	Kamaru Usman
Jorge Masvidal	Welterweight	36 years	Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman	Welterweight	35 years	Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman	Welterweight	35 years	Leon Edwards
Alexander Volkanovski	Lightweight	35 Years	Islam Makhachev
Colby Covington	Welterweight	35 Years	Leon Edwards

If Volkanovski pulls off the upset at UFC 298 by defeating his 27-year-old adversary, he would become the only man below welterweight to win a championship bout at his age. 

The odds are certainly stacked against him as he recovers from a devastating knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in late-2023. However, if "The Great" has made one thing for certain, it's that he's a cut above the rest and ready to break the mold once again.

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