{
  "id": 12287774,
  "title": "‘I’m Alex, who still fights’: Volkanovski returns to Abu Dhabi as UFC champion – and a changed man",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/im-alex-who-still-fights-volkanovski-returns-to-abu-dhabi-as-ufc",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T03:02:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2026/10/06/im-alex-who-still-fights-volkanovski-returns-to-abu-dhabi-as-ufc-champion-and-a-changed-man/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alexander Volkanovski returns to Abu Dhabi on October 24 as the champion of UFC 333, facing Russian Movsar Evloev in the featherweight division. Volkanovski, with a 28-4 record, has made four trips to Abu Dhabi throughout his career. His last visit, three years ago, was overshadowed by an injury-plagued 155-pound bout with Islam Makhachev, which Volkanovski lost in the first round. Despite that setback, Volkanovski maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing his intimidating reputation and unwavering dedication to the sport. He's excited for the upcoming card, which he describes as \"stacked.\"",
  "summary": "Alexander Volkanovski makes his Abu Dhabi return on October 24 as the headline bout of UFC 333. He returns as champion, putting his featherweight title on the line against Movsar Evloev , the Russian who boasts a perfect 20-0 record in professional MMA. “I've had a nice long camp; dieting hard, training hard. It's going to be a great card. Obviously, it's a stacked card, so I can see why…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "‘I’m Alex, who still fights’: Volkanovski returns to Abu Dhabi as UFC champion – and a changed man",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/im-alex-who-still-fights-volkanovski-returns-to-abu-dhabi-as-ufc-12291658",
        "published": "2026-10-06T03:02:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}