Alexander Volkanovski went to battle with Diego Lopes and walked away a two-time featherweight champion.
Regardless of being over 35 years outdated, coming off back-to-back losses, and having Drake drop an enormous guess on him, ‘The Nice’ lived as much as his moniker at UFC 314. He overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to attain an excellent unanimous choice victory over Lopes to reclaim the featherweight crown he’d misplaced simply over a 12 months in the past.
In fact, the win didn’t come simply.
Wanting again on the slugfest by way of his YouTube channel, Volkanovski revealed what he believed to be probably the most harmful side of Lopes’ ability set.
“Stepping into, we knew Diego can be powerful,” Volkanovski mentioned. “In all probability more durable than we thought. He took some huge pictures, however he was even more durable than we anticipated. Even while you land on him, you realize issues are going to come back again. He’s all the time harmful, all the time firing again, not only one shot however with combos.
“Guys like that, it’s exhausting to not get hit except you simply don’t have interaction in any respect. However you must try to do as a lot injury as you may, whereas not taking as a lot your self.”
Alexander Volkanovski aiming for fast return to the octagon
What comes subsequent for Volkanovski stays to be seen, however in keeping with the person himself, he’d prefer to combat as early as July, and if all goes in keeping with plan, he’ll squeeze in two extra scraps earlier than the tip of 2025.
“I suppose fighting-wise, I clearly wished to get again in there,” Volkanovski instructed TMZ Sports activities. “I discussed about being very energetic, I nonetheless wish to be energetic. Simply received to get a number of issues checked out, clearly a number of bumps and bruises, see how that goes, speak to the UFC, and we’ll make it occur.
“I’m positively preventing once more this 12 months, however the query is, am I doing two extra?”