“Old Volkanovski” still has it!
Alexander Volkanovski demonstrated his quality by regaining the featherweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 at the Kaseya Center. The judges scored the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
With this victory, Volkanovski became the first fighter over 35 years old to win a world title in a weight class under 170 pounds. His performance marked a return to form for the fighter who dominated the 145-pound division from 2019 to 2023, solidifying himself as a Hall of Famer with three wins over Max Holloway.
However, after suffering two knockout defeats against Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, some questioned whether his best years were behind him.
Volkanovski, 36, showed he remains a force in the division, although his confidence was tested when he had to get up after being knocked down at the end of the second round. Instead of giving up, he recovered and used his movement and a precise jab to overcome a challenging Lopes.
“It’s good to be back. I promised my daughters I’d bring the belt back, but then I thought it doesn’t matter bringing the belt back. I think the message is a lot of people wrote me off after two knockout losses. The 35-year-old curse, 36 years old, a big layoff, and to come back and beat a cannon like Diego Lopes who came and gave it everything.
Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski’s opportunity to regain the featherweight title arose when Topuria decided to vacate the title and move up to lightweight. Despite consecutive knockout losses, his track record earned him the title opportunity.
Lopes stood before him, a rising star whose rapid ascent began after losing his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev in 2023. Lopes, 30, remained undefeated in his next five fights, propelling himself into title contention.
But experience trumped youth that night. Volkanovski executed a brilliant game plan based on movement, a sharp jab, and avoiding frantic exchanges.
Volkanovski won the early striking exchanges against Lopes, connecting a left hand that wobbled his opponent in the first round and landing counter right hands.
Just when the fight seemed to be slipping away from Lopes in the second round, he knocked Volkanovski down with a right to the temple. But Volkanovski recovered, although wary of Lopes’ right hand, which had proven to be a dangerous weapon.
Volkanovski refused to yield to Lopes’s increasing pressure and moved while throwing the jab for the next 15 minutes. Lopes occasionally tempted him into exchanges, but Volkanovski was astute and pulled away before being overwhelmed. Volkanovski suffered some damage, as Lopes managed to land hard blows, including an uppercut in the third round that opened a cut on his right eye.
But Volkanovski weathered the storm and fought brilliantly after many had written him off. He doubled Lopes in significant strikes 134-67. Although he only had 1 of 11 takedowns, those attempts prevented Lopes from opening up his offense.
In the lead-up to the fight, Volkanovski cited a renewed focus on reclaiming the title he once held for four years. The dedication paid off, and a new reign begins with a featherweight division that has received new blood, including Jean Silva, Evloev, Lerone Murphy, and Aaron Pico.
For now, Volkanovski can savor his victory after silencing the detractors who thought time would have the last word.
“If you have adversity, you rebuild yourself, it will only make you stronger, even if it doesn’t work. But many times it does, if you really pursue it. Look what can happen. You can break records. This is what people will write books about. This is a movie!”
Alexander Volkanovski
