Alexander Volkanovski etched his name further into UFC history at UFC 314 by triumphing over Diego Lopes in a hard-fought contest to reclaim the featherweight championship in the main event.
This victory marks Volkanovski`s return to the champion`s circle, making him the first fighter over the age of 35 to hold a UFC title at or below 155 pounds. Despite facing moments of challenge, Volkanovski delivered a classic performance, outworking and outstriking Lopes across all five rounds.
The judges` scorecards reflected Volkanovski`s dominance with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, officially crowning him a two-time featherweight champion.
“It feels great to be back,” Volkanovski expressed, as the belt was once again fastened around his waist. “I felt so much support. All week, I promised my daughters I would bring the belt home to them. Many people doubted me after two knockout losses. To come back and defeat a formidable opponent like Diego Lopes is significant. It`s wonderful to be back. Overcoming adversity is a privilege. This moment is incredible.”
“This is the kind of stuff that will be written about in books and depicted in movies. This is what it’s all about.”
Although the outcome wasn`t in his favor, Lopes demonstrated his capabilities in his first shot at a UFC championship. He offered no excuses, vowing to return and conquer the division in the future.
“It was an honor to share the octagon with a fighter of Alexander Volkanovski’s caliber,” Lopes acknowledged. “But I will return. He is incredibly experienced in the UFC. I can see my progress. I’m going to improve, come back, and become a champion.”
Volkanovski established an early advantage, landing a powerful left hook that visibly stunned Lopes early in the fight. Volkanovski capitalized with a takedown and continued to pressure Lopes, who appeared overwhelmed by the former champion`s offense.
Volkanovski found his rhythm, effectively striking from a distance, while Lopes struggled to mount a significant offense. Another strong punch from Volkanovski staggered Lopes, sending him towards the cage, although Lopes managed to defend against a subsequent takedown attempt.
Just when Volkanovski seemed to be in complete control, Lopes landed a blow that briefly dropped the Australian. As the round concluded and Volkanovski rose to his feet, he appeared visibly frustrated at being caught.
Despite the setback at the end of the second round, Volkanovski regrouped and executed a strong strategy in the third. He landed sharp combinations, including a firm left hook that connected with Lopes` jaw.
Lopes struggled to draw Volkanovski into a close-quarters brawl, which was his preferred style of fight. However, in a brief exchange, Lopes connected with a straight left followed by a right uppercut that shook Volkanovski and forced him backward.
Volkanovski began rubbing his eye due to the damage sustained, and Lopes pressed forward, attempting to capitalize. Despite being in a difficult situation, Volkanovski remained composed and prevented Lopes from gaining a significant advantage before returning to his corner.
In his corner, Volkanovski informed his coaches that his vision was impaired during the round, but it later recovered. This improvement was evident in the final round as Volkanovski consistently utilized a sharp jab while evading Lopes` power strikes.
Volkanovski’s higher volume of strikes and precision proved decisive. Despite Lopes` relentless forward pressure and impressive resilience, he couldn`t generate enough offense to secure the victory.
It was a highly impressive performance from Volkanovski, who faced doubts leading up to this fight following two consecutive knockout losses, a first in his UFC career. Now, he stands once again as champion, with a growing list of featherweight contenders eager to challenge him.
