Alexander Volkanovski went to struggle with Diego Lopes and walked away a two-time featherweight champion.
Regardless of being over 35 years previous, coming off back-to-back losses, and having Drake drop an enormous wager on him, ‘The Nice’ lived as much as his moniker at UFC 314. He overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to attain an excellent unanimous resolution victory over Lopes to reclaim the featherweight crown he’d misplaced simply over a yr in the past.
After all, 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 facet of Lopes’ ability set.
“Entering into, we knew Diego can be powerful,” Volkanovski stated. “In all probability harder than we thought. He took some large photographs, however he was even harder than we anticipated. Even once you land on him, you realize issues are going to return again. He’s all the time harmful, all the time firing again, not only one shot however with combos.
“Guys like that, it’s onerous to not get hit until you simply don’t have interaction in any respect. However it’s a must to try to do as a lot injury as you possibly can, 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 line with the person himself, he’d wish to struggle as early as July, and if all goes in line with plan, he’ll squeeze in two extra scraps earlier than the top of 2025.
“I suppose fighting-wise, I clearly needed to get again in there,” Volkanovski advised TMZ Sports activities. “I discussed about being very energetic, I nonetheless wish to be energetic. Simply acquired to get a number of issues checked out, clearly a number of bumps and bruises, see how that goes, discuss to the UFC, and we’ll make it occur.
“I’m positively preventing once more this yr, however the query is, am I doing two extra?”
