Robert Whittaker believes Alexander Volkanovski`s championship days are far from over.
Volkanovski has the opportunity to reclaim the featherweight title when he faces Diego Lopes for the vacant belt this Saturday at UFC 314. The title is vacant because Ilia Topuria moved up to lightweight, giving Volkanovski a significant opportunity despite his recent knockout losses, including a short-notice rematch with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
At 36, Volkanovski is past his prime, but Whittaker is confident that his fellow Australian has enough left to regain his position at the top of the featherweight division.
“Volk’s skill set is top-tier,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “I can see him using calf kicks, his step-through left hand. I envision him pushing Diego backward, going for double-leg takedowns against the fence. He used wrestling extensively earlier in his career and very effectively. So, I expect to see a well-rounded Volk utilizing his top-tier skills, and we could have another champion in Australia.”
Before losing to Topuria, Volkanovski had never been defeated in a featherweight fight. However, his durability has been questioned after being knocked out by Makhachev and then Topuria just four months later.
The Topuria result was particularly shocking given Volkanovski’s renowned resilience and his dominant reign as featherweight champion. Volkanovski defeated Max Holloway to win the title at UFC 245 and defended it five times, including two rematches with Holloway.
Whittaker has witnessed Volkanovski at his best too many times to dismiss him now.
“I think the key question is which Volk will we see in the octagon at UFC 314?” Whittaker stated. “Everyone is discussing his losses to Makhachev, the knockouts, his age, and as MMA fans often do, they quickly wrote him off after his losses, which is unreasonable. MMA fans can be both the best and worst types of people.”
“The truth is, he’s been inactive for a while. He’s coming off two consecutive losses, to Makhachev and Topuria, both being significant losses recently. His age is a factor. So, which Volk will we see at UFC 314?”
“Diego is in very dangerous form right now,” Whittaker added. “I believe ‘Makhachev 1 Volk,’ meaning Volk at his best, can defeat Diego Lopes. Volk’s skillset, composure, toughness, grit, fight IQ, and octagon control are exceptional. But again, considering all factors, which version of Volk will we see?”
Lopes is on a five-fight winning streak since a short-notice debut loss to Movsar Evloev in 2023. He recently achieved a dominant victory over former title challenger Brian Ortega but is still considered a slight underdog against Volkanovski.
This makes sense to Whittaker, who predicts Volkanovski will win by decision. He believes Bruce Buffer will announce “And Again” for Volkanovski.
“I foresee Volk entering, utilizing his full skillset, landing strikes, attempting takedowns, wearing down Diego Lopes, controlling him for five rounds, and securing a decision victory,” Whittaker concluded. “Or possibly finishing him in the later rounds.”
