Alexander Volkanovski is UFC featherweight champion once more, however the huge achievement was removed from simple.
“The Nice” went 5 rounds with Diego Lopes in the primary occasion of UFC 314 this previous Saturday and although Volkanovski went on to win a convincing choice, he needed to survive a knockdown scare within the second spherical and take care of the gritty Lopes in the course of the competition. In the long run, Volkanovski was awarded with a vacant belt for his efforts, making him a two-time UFC titleholder.
Based on Volkanovski’s head coach Joe Lopez, the fighter additionally needed to take care of a hand problem early within the struggle, and it may very well be an damage that places Volkanovski on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
“He might need broke his hand,” Lopez advised Submission Radio. “We’ve nonetheless acquired to get that X-ray. So he did damage his hand.”
Lopez couldn’t recall precisely when Volkanovski complained of the discomfort, however he thinks it should have been critical for his fighter to convey it up. General, he’s grateful that the grueling battle didn’t take extra of a toll on Volkanovski’s well being.
“It was earlier within the struggle, I feel,” Lopez mentioned. “Alex didn’t say something in the direction of, it was simply on the finish, he was simply saying, ‘Look, I feel I busted my hand.’ I can’t bear in mind which spherical.
“He’s acquired a little bit of a sore foot and simply the bumps and bruises after having a five-round warfare with a warrior. You’re going to be sore.”
With Volkanovski again on high, and former champion Ilia Topuria shifting as much as light-weight, the featherweight subject is huge open once more and numerous recent challengers can be found for the Australian star. Lopez ran down a couple of of the names obtainable, mentioning Volkanovski’s need to settle the rating with Topuria some day with Topuria having knocked Volkanovski out at UFC 298.
“It’s lower than us,” Lopez mentioned. “It’s as much as Ilia and the UFC. I’m certain the UFC would like to have that struggle as a result of that will have a number of eyes on it, particularly after Volk’s efficiency on the weekend. I do know for a reality Volk actually desires that again. It’s that delight factor. You suppose you actually had it and also you misplaced it. You need that one again and I do know Volk actually desires that one again. However once more, that’s as much as Ilia and the powers that be.”
A rematch between Volkanovski is unlikely to be booked anytime quickly, particularly with viable contenders ready within the wings. The undefeated Movsar Evloev nonetheless awaits his shot and UFC 314 noticed one other candidate emerge with Jean Silva operating via Bryce Mitchell.
Lopez addressed each potential opponents.
“Realistically, [Evloev] does deserve it, however there was no discuss of him in any respect on the presser,” Lopez mentioned. “There was no actual discuss of him in any respect. Everybody was speaking about Yair [Rodriguez] and everyone else besides him. It’s type of a bit unhappy. I suppose he’s not very thrilling, and he doesn’t convey a lot to the desk, however he’s unbeaten and he’s on a run. If anybody deserves a shot it’s really him, nevertheless it’s as much as the powers that be.”
“He’s undoubtedly going to be a contender sooner or later,” Lopez mentioned of Silva. “He’s most likely two or three fights away earlier than we see him up there, however he’s on a very good run. He’s a personality. Very respectful man, too. I feel there’s one thing lacking upstairs, however that’s him.”
