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Alexander Volkanovski is currently headlining UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, where he is defending his UFC Featherweight Championship in a high-stakes rematch against Diego Lopes. The fight, taking place on February 1, 2026, marks Alexander’s first title defence of his second reign after reclaiming the vacant belt from Diego in April 2025. The match is generating buzz amid speculation that it will be Alexander Volkanovski’s last fight before retirement, though he has stated otherwise. As the 37-year-old prepares to take on Diego Lopes, here’s a look at his biggest cheerleader, his wife, Emma.
Who is Alexander Volkanovski’s wife, Emma Volkanovski?
Emma Volkanovski, wife of former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski, hails from a modest background, according to Sportskeeda. Not much is known about Emma’s career or personal life, except that she is a fitness enthusiast. As for her academic background, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Sydney. Emma maintains a low-key lifestyle with a limited social media presence, though her husband, Alexander Volkanovski, frequently mentions her as his primary motivator and “anchor”.
Emma has supported Alexander’s career transitions from semi-professional rugby to elite MMA. She’s known him for over two decades and has been his partner and support system even before he was famous. The couple’s story is considered a fairytale romance by the UFC star’s fans. Despite her husband’s worldwide fame, Emma stays out of the spotlight. One of her few publicly available glimpses includes her appearance in several episodes of the UFC Countdown series alongside Alexander Volkanovski.
When did Alexander Volkanovski and Emma Volkanovski’s love story start?
Alexander and Emma Volkanovski’s love story began in 2005 when they were teenagers. The couple were high school sweethearts and have been together for approximately 21 years as of February 2026. Alexander reportedly wooed Emma on MSN Messenger when they were both 16 years old. Since then, they have stayed together, with Emma being Alexander’s solace and source of strength as he pursued a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Alexander Volkanovski and Emma Volkanovski’s marriage and children
After dating for about seven years, Alexander Volkanovski and Emma Volkanovski tied the knot on October 12, 2012. Three years into their spousal life, the couple entered a new chapter of their lives, i.e., parenthood. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, Ariana in 2015. Alexander and Emma then had three more daughters, including their second child, Airlie, born in 2017. Airlie’s sister, Reign, was born on August 30, 2023. Her name is a tribute to Alexander Volkanovski’s long reign as the UFC featherweight champion.
The couple’s youngest, Riah, was born on September 2, 2025. She arrived slightly earlier than expected, weighing 1.98kg (approximately 4.3 lb), and was reported to be doing well immediately after birth. In 2025, Alexander revealed that while they had initially planned to stop at three children, the fourth pregnancy was a “surprise”. He publicly shared his reaction to the gender reveal on social media, jokingly admitting he predicted it would be another girl and stating he intends to set a strong example for his four daughters.
Alexander Volkanovski opened up about balancing family and career
Before facing Diego Lopes at UFC 325 in February 2026, Alexander Volkanovski shared the importance of family in his life. He mentioned that family is the primary “driving force” behind his MMA career, stating that his motivation is not legacy or fame, but to provide for his loved ones. He has embraced being a “girl dad,” expressing that his goal is to show his daughters “what a real man looks like.” Noting the difficulties of managing training camp and fatherhood simultaneously, while being determined to do well in both spheres, Alexander stated in an interview with ESPN Australia:
“Everyone in the gym is going to know I’m built different just by watching me train. But to be able to do what I do in the gym and still be the guy I am around the house as a father, with the media and all the other stuff, the content, everything, it can be quite busy. There’s a lot of running around.”
Will Alexander Volkanovski retire after his UFC 325 match against Diego Lopes?
Refuting the online chatter, Alexander Volkanovski explicitly denied plans to retire after his UFC 325 match against Diego Lopes. Addressing swirling rumours, the 37-year-old champion stated that, despite being older than most fighters in his field, he believes he’s still got it. He has no problem talking about his age and will prove to others that he is capable of taking down his opponents, aiming to fight three more times in 2026. He told ESPN Australia:
“I’m happy to talk about it. A lot of people are like, ‘Why does he keep bringing up 37 years old?’ I love it. Again, I want that pressure. I want people thinking I’m old. I am old, but I’m still better than these guys, and I’ll show you.”
What are your thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski’s attempt at balancing his career and family? Let us know.
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