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The Weight of Time: Over-35 Curse Looms over Volkanovski at UFC 298
Age and the Fight Game
As UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski prepares for his highly anticipated title defense against Brian Ortega at UFC 298, he faces not only the physical and technical challenges of his opponent but also the specter of the so-called "over-35 curse."
This phenomenon refers to the statistical observation that male UFC fighters aged 35 or older have a significantly decreased winning percentage in championship fights compared to their younger counterparts. In the last 33 title fights between 125-170 pounds that pitted a male fighter over 35 against a younger opponent, the older fighter has lost 29 times.
The Curse's Toll
The curse has claimed victims in the sport's most prestigious division. Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones lost his belt to Dominick Reyes at age 32, while former middleweight champion Chris Weidman fell to Yoel Romero at age 35. Even the legendary Anderson Silva, who once dominated the middleweight division, has struggled against younger opponents in recent years.
So, as Volkanovski approaches his 35th birthday, the question arises: Will the curse extend its grip to him? Ortega, at 31, is a formidable opponent with a dangerous submission game. The champion will need to be at the peak of his powers to overcome the challenge and break the curse's hold.
Conclusion
Volkanovski's fight against Ortega is not just a title defense; it is a battle against the relentless march of time. If he can overcome the over-35 curse, he will not only retain his belt but also etch his name into the annals of UFC history as a true legend who defied the odds.
With the weight of history on his shoulders, Volkanovski will step into the octagon at UFC 298, ready to prove that age is just a number and that the fire of a champion burns brighter than any curse.
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