Alexander Volkanovski is UFC featherweight champion once more, however the large achievement was removed from straightforward.
“The Nice” went 5 rounds with Diego Lopes in the principle 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 throughout the competition. Ultimately, Volkanovski was awarded with a vacant belt for his efforts, making him a two-time UFC titleholder.
In accordance with Volkanovski’s head coach Joe Lopez, the fighter additionally needed to take care of a hand challenge early within the combat, and it could possibly be an damage that places Volkanovski on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
“He may need broke his hand,” Lopez informed Submission Radio. “We’ve nonetheless bought to get that X-ray. So he did harm his hand.”
Lopez couldn’t recall precisely when Volkanovski complained of the discomfort, however he thinks it should have been severe for his fighter to deliver 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 combat, I believe,” Lopez mentioned. “Alex didn’t say something in direction of, it was simply on the finish, he was simply saying, ‘Look, I believe I busted my hand.’ I can’t bear in mind which spherical.
“He’s bought a little bit of a sore foot and simply the bumps and bruises after having a five-round conflict with a warrior. You’re going to be sore.”
With Volkanovski again on prime, and former champion Ilia Topuria shifting as much as light-weight, the featherweight discipline is vast open once more and a variety of recent challengers can be found for the Australian star. Lopez ran down just a few of the names accessible, 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 positive the UFC would like to have that combat as a result of that will have quite a lot 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 satisfaction 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 by means of Bryce Mitchell.
Lopez addressed each potential opponents.
“Realistically, [Evloev] does deserve it, however there was no speak of him in any respect on the presser,” Lopez mentioned. “There was no actual speak of him in any respect. Everybody was speaking about Yair [Rodriguez] and all people else besides him. It’s form of a bit unhappy. I suppose he’s not very thrilling, and he doesn’t deliver 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 superb run. He’s a personality. Very respectful man, too. I believe there’s one thing lacking upstairs, however that’s him.”
