Volkanovski Promises To Bring The Belt Home – ‘That Strap Is Coming Back’
Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes both made the featherweight limit before their UFC 314 fight.
Volkanovski can become champion once again after losing the belt in his last fight. He suffered a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, as it was the first time he had been stopped at featherweight. However, given that Topuria has moved up to lightweight, Volk has the chance to win the belt back now that it is vacant. Lopes is on a five-fight win streak, knowing a win secures him his first world title. He enters the fight with a victory against Brian Ortega. Volk and Lopes both hit the scales at 145 pounds.
Reaction
Joe Rogan: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here with Diego. Diego, it’s been an incredibly rapid but spectacular rise to get yourself into contention. Tomorrow night, you get that opportunity to fight for the title. Give us your thoughts on that and your opponent Alex.
Lopes: “Bro, Alex is—he’s an amazing guy, great fighter. But I think this is my moment. It’s my moment. I prove for everybody I deserve this opportunity. Saturday night, I put on a show for everybody.
Joe Rogan: “Good luck to you, sir. Diego Lopes, ladies and gentlemen! I’m here with the great Alexander. First of all, sir, it’s great to see you back—great to see you back. Another opportunity to fight for the title. Give us your thoughts on how much this means to you and Diego Lopes as an opponent.
Volkanovski: “Mate. Uh, it’s good to be back—we back. You know, again, dangerous guy. But that strap’s coming back with me, baby. Let’s go.”
Joe Rogan: “I can’t wait to watch it. Good luck to you, sir. Alexander Volkanovski, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you all for coming out to the weigh-ins. We will see you tomorrow night.”
Full Card
Alexander Volkanovski (145) vs. Diego Lopes (145)
Michael Chandler (156) vs. Paddy Pimblett (156)
Yair Rodriguez (146) vs. Patricio Pitbull (145)
Bryce Mitchell (146) vs. Jean Silva (146)
Nikita Krylov (206) vs. Dominick Reyes (206)
Prelims
Dan Ige (146) vs. Sean Woodson (146)
Yan Xiaonan (116) vs. Virna Jandiroba (116)
Jim Miller (156) vs. Chase Hooper (156)
Darren Elkins (145) vs. Julian Erosa (146)
Early Prelims
Sedriques Dumas (185) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (186)
Sumudaerji (126) vs. Mitch Raposo (126)
Tresean Gore (186) vs. Marco Tulio (186)
Nora Cornolle (137.5)* vs. Hailey Cowan (136)
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