At 36, Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed the featherweight title with a decisive victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 314, earning widespread praise for his performance.
Alexander Volkanovski reigns supreme in the featherweight division once again. At 36, following two consecutive losses, he turned back time with a decisive win over Diego Lopes to seize the vacant 145-pound title.
Volkanovski lost the belt via a brutal knockout by Ilia Topuria in February 2024. However, with Topuria moving up to lightweight, the title was back on the table.
Volkanovski didn’t disappoint his fans. He outperformed the younger Lopes across five rounds, narrowly escaping a scare in Round 2. Judges awarded him victory with two scoring it 49-46.
This win marks Volkanovski’s first since defending his title against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July 2023. Fighters were thrilled by his vintage performance; Aljamain Sterling exclaimed, “The king is back!”
Social media buzzed with reactions, praising both Volkanovski and Lopes for their efforts. Nazim Sadykhov noted that even past his prime, Volk is still world champ material.
Belal Muhammad suggested Lopes should’ve fought like he did in the last minute of the fight. Meanwhile, Edmen Shahbazyan hailed Volk as a legend for reclaiming his crown.
Joaquin New Mansa Buckley believed Usman should draw inspiration from Volkanovski’s triumph. Aljamain Sterling expressed interest in fighting Lopes after his recovery.
Kenny Florian highlighted Volk’s experience and praised Lopes’ effort in an excellent main event. Mike Malott stayed up late to witness Volkanovski’s vintage performance, already looking forward to UFC 315.
In conclusion, Volkanovski’s return to form has reignited excitement across the MMA community. His journey continues to inspire fighters and fans alike.