Volkanovski Overcomes Lopes To Become Champ Again
Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed his UFC Featherweight Title with a unanimous decision win over Diego Lopes at UFC 314: 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
Volkanovski faced serious question marks over his future coming into this fight. He had been knocked out by Ilia Topuria in his last fight at UFC 298, losing his featherweight title. The loss ended his four-year stint as champion and it was also his first stoppage loss at the weight class. That result took his record to one win in his last four fights. However, the belt became vacant after Topuria moved up to lightweight, giving Volk the opportunity to become champion again, and he delivered.
Volk started fast by catching Lopes with a high kick followed by a right hand. Volkanovski was looking for a takedown, but Lopes stood up to the task. However, the Australian wobbled Lopes with a left, as he finished the round the better man. Volk was now in control, landing his jab, followed by combinations in the second. Lopez, however, stunned Volk when he dropped him with a huge right hand just before the end of the round.
Volkanovski regained his composure in the third, landing his left hook once again. Lopes was still in the fight and showed signs of life when he landed an uppercut that harmed the area near Volkanovski’s left eye in the fourth. The Australian admitted in his post-fight comments that his vision was hampered. However, the champion remained calm. Lopes knew he had to push the pace, but Volkanovski landed his counters to close out the win.
Post-Fight
“It’s good to be back. I’ve never felt the love so much. I was saying all week, I said I promised my girls I would bring the belt back to them. I think the message was a lot of people counted me out, coming off two knocked out losses. Come back and beat a gun like Diego Lopes. It’s good to be back. Adversity is a privilege. This moment is incredible. “This is shit people are going to write books about. There’s going to be movies. That type of s**t. That’s what it’s all about,” Volkanovski said
“It was an honor to share the octagon with a guy like Alexander Volkanovski. But I’ll be back. This is a man who is so experienced in the UFC. I can see myself coming. I’m going to get better, I’m going to come back and I’m going to be a champion,” Lopes stated
Full Card
Alexander Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Paddy Pimblett beat Michael Chandler by TKO (strikes) in Round 3 at 3:07
Yair Rodriguez beat Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jean Silva beat Bryce Mitchell by submission (ninja choke) in Round 2 at 3:52
Dominick Reyes beat Nikita Krylov by KO (left hand) in Round 1 at 2:24
Dan Ige beat Sean Woodson by TKO (strikes) in Round 3 at 1:12
Virna Jandiroba beat Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Chase Hooper beat Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Julian Erosa beat Darren Elkins by TKO (strikes) in Round 1 at 4:15
Michal Oleksiejczuk beat Sedriques Dumas by TKO (strikes) in Round 1 at 2:49
Sumudaerji beat Mitch Raposo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Marco Tulio beat Tresean Gore by TKO (strikes) in Round 2 at 3:16
Nora Cornolle beat Hailey Cowan by submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 2 at 1:52
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