MMA Fighting - UFC 314 Timeline: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

Episode Date: April 7, 2025

Before Alexander Volkanovski again steps into the octagon to try to win the UFC featherweight title, check out MMA Fighting's UFC 314 Timeline to look back at Volkanovski's legendary career and the winding road challenger Diego Lopes took to his championship opportunity. Voiced by Mike Heck, produced by E. Casey Leydon. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr E. Casey Leydon: @ekc Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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MMA fighting presents Timeline. Alexander Volcanovsky versus Diego Lopez. November 16th, 2016, UFC Fight Night 101, Whitaker versus Brunson, Melbourne, Australia. The 13-1 Alexander Volcanovsky makes his UFC debut opposite Japanese fighter, Yisukee Kusuya. Volcanovsky, defeats Kusya by ground and pound T-knoffi. K-O midway through round two. Volcanovsky would follow up that victory the following June on the UFC Fight Night

110 Lewis versus Hunt card in Auckland, New Zealand by defeating Japanese veteran Mizutu Herota by decision. February 10, 2018, UFC 221, Romero versus Rockhold, Perth, Australia. Volcanowski returns to the Octagon against the undefeated Jeremy Kennedy. You are on this mission to rid the U.S. UFC of the quote unquote bad guys. Who are these bad guys that you're talking about? Why do you have an issue with them?

It's just, you know, everyone's doing the whole talking shit type of thing. And I know, I just say it just, it just balls me now, I think. Like, I know I get it. It's entertaining. Some of the guys are really good at it. But everyone's trying to do it. Now I just, I literally cringe every time I see someone trying to, you know, trash talk. And, you know, some people just don't have it.

And they just try. And I just find it funny. You know, I've always been, you know, a respectful type of guy. And, you know, no one's really playing the good guy. I know there's a lot of good guys out there. But, you know, you just want to play the bad guy here. I'm ready to play the superhero. I'm going to take these bad guys out.

When you were a rugby league player, did someone, is that, like, did someone introduce you to martial arts? Or were you, like, were you someone who did martial arts as a kid, and we're always interested in MMA, and then you just decided to go into it full time? Yeah, I just always loved any martial arts. It's boxing, kickboxing, and I just always loved it.

And I remember playing football. I wasn't even training in MMA, and I used to watch the UFC and think, oh, yeah, I'm going to be a champion one day. And I wasn't even training at the time. And, you know what I mean? It was just, it's just funny. I used to listen to music and just imagine to me

in the octagon fighting. And again, I wasn't even training. Wow. It was something that I always wanted to do. And my last year of rugby league, you know, had a couple of fights. They went well. I got a player of the year

I scored a try in the grand final And you know we finished on a really good year And I just made the decision You know what I'm gonna I'm gonna just do MMA And people thought I was mad I was actually pretty good at rugby league So a lot of people thought I was mad to actually change Like what are you doing

But you know I knew I was never gonna make it to To NRL which is the right at the top Okay And I was like you know I'm a competitive type of guy So I was like you know what MMA I think I can do it took it on and five or six years late i'm in the ufc so i've only been in the sport i'm still new to this sport yeah she's max do you feel okay now uh three and own the ufc correct uh what

what are you uh yeah 16 and one uh this would be your 14 straight victory correct i mean it's been a while since you lost the fight yeah do you feel like okay i do something impressive here i'm gonna take that next up is this is this the one and and if so how do you get it done on saturday or Sunday morning, I should say, in Perth. Yeah, 100%. That's why I think this fight, you know, we're both friend on the UFC. I think the winner really moves forward. You know what I mean?

So I think that's exactly what's happening. Yeah, 13, you know, wins on the trot. I fought at middleweight, my first few fires, the middleweight, the welterweight. So my loss was that, actually. So I haven't lost in the lower divisions. And my only loss was in Welterweight against a pound-per-pound, number one in South East Asia, Australia at the time.

So I was, you know, it just wasn't ready for that fight. So in my eyes, I still believe I'm undefeated, but, you know, obviously I'm not. But it's just, you know, it's definitely, I get a big win here. I'm getting a ranked opponent. So, and hopefully, you know, I know I'm putting a performance. So I reckon these people are going to try and duck me, but, you know, I'm going to, I might have to call someone out. I promise to it for being a nice guy and I don't call people out, but I'm going to have to call someone out. One of these bad guys, because they ain't no one going to call me out.

I don't believe. Volcanowski moves to 17 and 1 after he finishes Kennedy by ground and pound, late into round two. Volcanovsky returns to the cage the following June at UFC Fight Night 133, Dos Santos versus Ivanov in Boise, Idaho. Volcanovsky wins his U.S. debut and remains undefeated in the UFC by defeating Darren Elkins by decision. December 29, 2018, UFC 232 Jones v. Gustafson 2, Inglewood, California.

Volcanowski is booked against top-ranked and multi-time title challenger Chad Mendez. Yeah, I know it's the moment, but right now everything feels the same. You know, I've prepared, I'm always more than ready for my fights. This time I had even bigger camp and everything went really smooth. I'm peaked right at the right time. So, mate, it's unreal. And I just, you know, it's a big opportunity for me and I'm going to capitalize. And, you know, everyone will know who I am Saturday night.

What I say, Battle of the Hobbits this weekend, you know what I mean? So two little stocky guys that know how to throw, you know what I mean? Usually I can control where the fight goes and sort of bully my way into things. That might, you know, that's not going to happen, you know, it might not, but I won't be surprised if I am still way too powerful for him. But I'm expecting it to be fireworks, so you're going to see a lot more hands thrown and expect to expect a bang. Max Holloway, and as a fighter, you know, I got a lot of respect for him.

He's a gamer. The way he is, he could have copped away less damage if he wanted, but that's a lot of not his style, his style's come forward, come forward. But that's why I believe guys like me, Chad Mendez, Frankie Edgar, a really bad match-ups for him. And, you know, that's why I really think if I do what I'm planning on doing and I'm guarantee it's going to happen, I'm going to be calling him out and I reckon that's going to be coming very soon. I guarantee you that them short little stocky wrestlers, he's his worst nightmare, just purely because he's such a gamer and he's going to stick to his guns and I just think that that's not a good idea.

In a breakthrough performance, the great knocks Mendez out late in the second round. The performance earns Fight of the Night honors. Dave, we talked about Israel out of Sonia this year being the guy from that part of the world breaking out. But Volkanowski has had an incredible year and win over Mendez like that puts him kind of on that upper echelon of featherweights in the division. I mean, maybe not title shot nice, but where is he right now? Is he maybe one fight away from title shot? He's got to be up in that in that region. Certainly real close.

You know, I mean, he beat a guy like not just beat a guy like Chad Mendez, but the poise he showed in just shaking off. Mendez hits like a Mack truck, you know, and the poise he showed on just shaking that off. That tells me that he can probably take anyone's shots in this division. You know, have to see how things play out a little bit. Like maybe he fights whoever wins Jose Aldo's next fight, you know. But he is, I mean, those are the people that you need to be thinking of.

If it's maybe not quite there for a title shot yet, but he's certainly not far. In Blokadavsky said that he feels like he's a terrible matchup for Max Holloway, and he's already kind of calling for that fight. Maybe a bit premature, but... Got to like the confidence. 100% absolutely. What a crazy sport we're in. Crazy sport.

It's the one that really hasn't kicked in, really, because I've had to get the stitches and do a bit of the media and stuff right, but you know it's Chapmendez you know I know I've said this in the interviews you know going he's only lost to the greats and I'm going to be another great you say these things but it's fucking happened you know what I mean it's it's unreal feeling but I got a lot of respect you know for the guy and I knew it was going to be a tough fight you know I didn't you know might have been down that first round so it's good you know a bit of adversity but at the same time you know I still think I could have done better but you know it's good to show people

that you know all stand in front of the toughest most most experience explosive guys in the division and I could see him start to crumble as soon as I had my way with him and it ended up going to plan. I called out Max Holloway not because, you know, I think, oh yeah, I'm definitely the next in line. You know, obviously Moikano and it was probably the next in line but he missed weight and then you're hearing a lot of people say, you know, what's left for him in this division. He hasn't fought, you know, a wrestler really for a while, a good, strong wrestler with a, you know, a big puncher, you know what I mean?

And I know he's a gamer, like, and he's the type of guy that he will, you know, we've all taken, he didn't have to cop that damage that he'd done. But the fact that he just comes forward and that's his game, you know what I mean? That's why a lot of people got to respect for him. But I just think that's why we're a bad matchup for him. Until he takes out someone like me or Frankie Edgar, then you could say he's took out everyone in the division. I really think that, you know.

So you're saying, hold on a second, Max. Don't go up just yet. Yeah, well, even he wants to, man. He's a gamer. He wants to, he wants to take out the division. He really does. That's why everyone loves him. know, if I'm not next, I'll be the fight after that.

And I guarantee you if he, you know, if he plays that game that he always does. And I know he will. Again, he's a gamer. He's a gangster. I love it. But that's just not going to work for me. May 11th, 2019. UFC 237, Namibuniz versus Andrage, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Alexander Volcanowski takes on his toughest opponent to date, the former featherweight champion, Jose Aldo. Like I always say in every fight, I prepare for the worst. So I'm preparing for a war. You know, I'm not fit enough and mentally strong enough to get fruit. So I'm always mentally and physically prepared. So, you know, you could go out there and it could end in five seconds. It can end in 13 seconds. But it's, you know, I'm prepared to go five rounds.

Obviously, it's not. But I mean, I'm more, you know, I could go five rounds, no dramas. That's it. That's why I'm always prepared for the worst. Many people in Brazil see you as a perfect matcher for outdoor. Why are they wrong? And, uh, perfect. Oh, look, a lot of people see, you know, obviously he's fought a lot of wrestlers with big punches,

but, you know, that's, I wouldn't say that's more, more casuals. But I mean, you know, a lot of people, it goes a lot deeper than that. A lot of people look at it and they'll be like, oh, yeah, short stocky wrestler with big punches. That's, that's what they think. Oh, I'll do I made a career of that. I get why they're saying it, but I mean, if you dig deep, I throw a lot of different little things in my pace, my pressure, you know, the way I chain things together is much. different and much more tiring. So, you know, that's something that, yeah, he might feel like

he's comfortable for the first 30 seconds, but it's going to change real quick. Volcanovsky halts Aldo's two-fight winning streak and defeats Aldo by decision in a workman-like performance. Well, we know, obviously, you know, again, he's a counter-striker. He loves a counter. He's always based very heavily. You know what I mean? He loves the leg kicks. Look, if you stand still in front of him, he's going to fire that big leg kicks. I'm sure that was his game playing with me to fire off the leg kicks. But again, I always had him adjust them.

So that's why you see me with a lot of movements, a lot of fakes and a lot of faints. I just always had him guessing, always, you know, I actually was trying to draw him into pull on the trigger a bit much. I think he noticed that. So that's why he wasn't to pull on the trigger at all. But at the same time, again, you can say even with the clinch work and stuff like that, mate, if I shot any, any, you know, stuff to take down, I was going to come right back him. That was just another thing for him to worry about.

It was just to have a puzzle in front of him. Have him so worried about things that I'm doing. You get him and he's very, very overreactive. He reacts heavily to everything. And that's why he's seen every time I've done something, he was ready to head slipping, you know, sort of ready to pull the trigger. You got to me.

Old shift, he would always adjust, always adjusting. Always very, very, very base. He's always had a very good base. You know what I mean? And that's why he's the type of person that defense take downs very well. But, you know, we sort of capitalize that on that. What is the key to beating Max Hollowing?

I just fight and still find my fight. Again, like, he's a gamer man. He comes forward. He does a lot of the work for me, you know what I mean? So that's what I'm the bad match for him. I really do believe that. You know what I mean? He's a type of person that does come forward.

And, you know, again, like, you know, he's not the hardest hitter. He's got a lot of volume. But again, mate, if you're there trying to throw volume at me, you're going to receive some. And, you know, they're going to be heavy. They're going to be powerful. And then you've got my wrestling to worry about. Then you've got everything else to worry about. You know, obviously I've got many tools that he needs to worry about.

So I believe it's a very dangerous spot for him. But he's game. He'd be keen. Let's make it happen. Well, let's say if someone wanted to say, okay, but he fought Aldo twice and stopped him both times in the third round, you know, you didn't knock him down. So therefore, Max is better. What would you say to that argument?

No, I guarantee you people will say that. But, I mean, they don't know the game. And obviously, I'm a calculated fighter. I'm going to be the type of person that I'm going to do what needs to be done to win. You know what I mean? So at the same time, I'm not going to take stupid risks and give someone like out. Obviously, he's a dangerous guy. He can knock anyone out at any given time.

Why take silly risks when I don't need to? I was doing enough. I was working enough. He just didn't pull the trigger. But if he did, a little bit more, I reckon I would have capitalised, but he didn't. But maybe he was waiting for me to throw more careless. shots and stuff like that. But again, I'm a smart fighter. I've got a good fighter IQ, and again, I'm very, very well-rounded, and I'm only getting better. So the longer that max her weight,

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The reigning UFC featherweight champion, Max Blessed Holloway, is booked to defend his belt against the Australian Alexander Volcanowski as the co-main event at the Block. Blockbuster Year End UFC Paperview. Next year, mate, I'm looking to be the greatest featherweight of all time. So a lot of people are twisting my words and saying that,

I'm looking through Max and I want to rematch. I was actually saying that, you know, I'm looking to be the greatest featherweight. And if I have to beat him again, then that's what I'll do, to prove to the world that I'm the greatest featherweight of all time. A lot of people have been saying that you are a terrible match for Max Holloway on paper. I've seen it everywhere, really. a lot of people are saying this. You must believe that yourself. Oh, 100%. And it's, yeah, well, I know that.

So I know I'm a terrible matchup, and I've always known that maybe these people are starting to jump on board because they've seen him lose and they know he's not invincible, but it's even deeper than that. Just his style and his game that he's so good at, and don't get him wrong, it's very effective. And I use that as well in my fights, but that obviously doesn't work with me. He can't approach this fight the way he has. And he probably still will because he's such a gamer. But, I mean, if he's going to come at me like that and think, he can grind me down and punch me in volume and, you know, outstrike me like that.

He's got another thing coming, you know. Obviously, I'm very powerful, and if he's going to come in me alive and I get to sit on my punches, I hit very hard. And if you're going to do all the work for me and let me, you know, obviously the shots are going to be there, the power, the punches, overhands, you name it. I get to just play what's in front of me and I get to enjoy this fight. Obviously, it's going to be a tough one, like I said, it's going to be still back and forth. I still think that.

I know I know I'm going to land some big shots and he's still going to come at me, but I think his game, he will realize that it's not going to work with me pretty early in that fight. I've got a lot of respect for him. He's a great champion. He had that blessed the era, but that changes and that all ends December 14th. Volcanovsky defeats Holloway by unanimous decision. Alexander the Great Volcanovsky is the new UFC featherweight champion. I said I was a guy to do it. And, you know, again, I'm not cocky, but I'm confident, and I got a job done. And, you know, there was a lot of data there. I think that there was a, I end up

looking at a pro's picks, not one of them picked me. Not one, but I use that as motivation. I love it. They'll pick me next time. I'm just too powerful, man. Like they go one way, I'll go another. You know what I mean? That's the thing. I'm so well-rounded. I go, man, I could just go anywhere with it. If he was really fixing me up on the feet and I had to grind it, like, you know, look for takedowns, I could always go there. You know what I mean? That's the thing. I've got so many ways to go. Even striking, there's so many ways to go. So I proved that. Again, he's good with his range. It was like, how's he going to handle the range? It's like, that's how. July 11th, 2020, UFC 251, Yaz Island, Abu Dhabi. The featherweight champion, Alexander Volcanowski,

is set to defend his title for the first time in a rematch against the former champion Max Holloway on Fight Island. Yeah, he can say whatever he wants. On the champ, I got the belt, I beat him. So, you know, he can say, oh, I still feel or whatever. It doesn't matter. That's just, that's just who I am. That's the type of guy. That's what I said. I'm a, I'm a, I'm a champion chasing the contenders. I'm going to, I'm looking at all of them, every single one of them. I'm going to take out Maxx this weekend, that's what I plan on doing. And it's saying cockiness, but you know, I'm just believing my abilities. And to be the best, you're going to, you're going to beat the best, and that's the number of contenders. So I'm all my out, all these contenders. I've said it from day one.

I'm chasing these contenders. So they can, he can look at it the way he wants, but that's just who I am. sit on the top be like, ah, yeah, cool, I'm chilling the top. That ain't good enough for me. I'm on all of them. I'm coming for them all. If you want to be the going to the division, you need to take out your number one contenders, and that's what I plan on doing. So, yeah, I guess I still feel like a challenger in a way. That's just how I look at it. That's how I keep myself motivated. You know what I mean? I'm going to look for things to keep me motivated. And that's why this weekend, I'm motivated, and I'm going to put him away.

And if he's going to keep acting the way he is, he's just going to make it feel even better once my hand gets raised. of the closest fights in UFC history, Volkanovsky successfully defends his belt in a highly competitive and controversial split decision. Yeah, well, obviously, fourth and fifth, I'm pretty confident. Most people would know I clearly won them. That third round was probably a little bit closer out of the three last ones. But, you know, obviously the takedowns and, you know, a lot of my shots, I feel like were better shots anyway, to be quite honest. But then first three rounds, again, I'm a realist. I'll tell you, I believe that, you know, he started off well. But I come back from the third onwards. Again, I showed what champions are made of. This sport isn't easy.

And sometimes you're going to be put in these positions. And only certain champions can dig deep like, oh, I did. And, you know, again, I'm proud of that I dug deep and got the job done and bring this back home to Australia and to my family. And look, there's no way you could call this a robbery, Jose. Like, if Hallaway got the nod, I wouldn't have been upset. Volcanofsky getting it. That doesn't upset me either. What did you think in the featherweight title fight and how the decision went? I had Max winning. I can't remember the exact scores I had, the exact rounds I had, but I had him winning.

I thought it was pretty obvious. Max won. It's not a robbery because at the end of it, I'm like, that was a really, really close fight. The problem is, in my mind, Max clearly won the first two. I think that's obvious. He won the first two. I had a bunch of knockdowns. But then when the rounds that Volcanowski won, which would be three, four, five,

I think on the judge's scorecards, I don't think. he clearly won any of those i think in the fourth round i was looking at this i'm like max could be up four oh or it could be two two like that's how close this is right now so max max is in the situation where he gets all these knockdowns clearly wins the first two and then volkinovsky i don't want to say skates by or steals or anything because they were they were just razor thin those were 10 nine rounds either round could have gone to them uh he seemed to be going to the well a lot with those leg kicks and uh holloway was making a lot of adjustments as you said i think in the first two rounds he looked like completely different fighter looks like the greatest featherweight of all time in there and I thought

after the first year runs was like max is going to win this like he looks unbelievable in there so but at the end vulcanowski pulled it out I was doing Twitter reacts for the site I tell you Alexander vulcanowski's fellow fighters are not happy about that decision and we could talk all we want about judges and scorecards and this but if a fighter's watching it and the majority of fighters are complaining about it maybe they're just the most vocal and the ones that disagree or aren't saying anything but the majority of the fighters I saw react completely disagree. They thought Volcanowski won at least three of those rounds. And I don't disagree with them.

But Volcanowski won and Max is now 0 and 2 against the champion. It's, I don't know, it's a weird time to be a featherweight because you got a quote of quote, like this champion that's on the super long run. This looks super long run. It looks super impressive. Beats Holloway twice, beats Aldo. And now we can go out to these bigger fights. But you're always getting in the back of your mind. Like, yo, you lost that second fight to Holloway.

I wish didn't go that way. September 25th, 2021, UFC 266 Volcanovsky versus Ortega, Las Vegas, Nevada. Alexander Volcanovsky is set to defend his featherweight title for the second time against grappling ace and 15 and 1 Brian Ortega. Alex, you spent the ultimate fighter series next to Brian. I'm curious, what is the biggest thing you learned about him during that experience? To be honest, well, obviously unprofessional. I've said it all week.

Unprofessional and weakness. You know what I mean? And what upsets me the most is I'm professional. I put the hard yards in my whole life, especially in this career. That's how I got this belt. And, you know, he half-assed it. Turns up training late. You know what I mean, you name it.

I just see weakness. You know, I'm unprofessional. Obviously, shown weakness, obviously, you know, a few years back, you know, popping, producing, you know what I mean? Shit like that. That shit annoys me. It's not professional and I ain't about that shit. And I'm curious for you, Brian, what is the biggest thing you learn about Alex during the ultimate fire?

Not much. Do you agree that you're unprofessional or do you think he's way off? I don't know. I think I see life through a different lens, you know. Some people like to be told what to do. I kind of live on my own time. As long as I get the job done, right? That's what matters to me

My ever since I got told you popped I had no idea Ever since I got told that's it I'm done That shit doesn't stay with me I'm over that shit You've been done right Don't do shit about it though

T-City over here Doesn't bother you that this man feels that you shouldn't even in the octagon with you That he thinks that you're not on his level How much does that fire you up to Get the job done on Saturday night I'm already here

And I'm saying I'm gonna show the octagon with him whether he likes it or not, whether he likes me or not. We're going to fucking fight. Hey, he deserves a be he. He deserves a be he. I'll give him that. But he ain't taking the belt.

You don't deserve it. We'll see about that. After escaping deep submissions early in the fight, Volcanovsky takes over and wins a unanimous decision. The UFC Awards Volcanofski and Ortega Fight of the Night honors. That fight was ridiculous. Volcanowski retains the title.

The scorecards are 49, 46, 5045, 5044, if memory serves you correctly. But you said it earlier. It was not indicative on how good and how competitive that fight actually was. So wax poetic because we don't get to do this that out. Like we love when martial arts are mixed, but when we see them at high, high levels like this, when they're in a blender, when you blend the martial arts

and you hit like full power, That's what we saw in that main event. And throw in just a little, just massive amounts of just heart and just grime and blood and just just courage and just everything. Wow. It was super duper. And just freaking toughness. Oh, wow.

That's just the third round. One of the greatest championship rounds we've ever seen. um it still might not have been the best round of the night as crazy as that sounds but i think it is um but oh my goodness um i picked ortega coming into this fight i picked him by third round submission so it was very close apparently i was so close to the champ was gurgling apparently but man um bokanoski uh he is this is the fight he needed to kind of put i think put him over fans i think This washes a bit of the bad taste that maybe fans felt by him defeating in the split decision over the Holloway fight. I really think this kind of washes out of way.

Volcanowski now, without a doubt, is the UFC champion, not just in name, but like he owns it now. And I think of this win tonight also, you know, we're now talking. Maybe Volcanowski really is, and that kind of Mount Rushmore of, uh, but, uh, uh, uh, uh, all-time great featherweights. He's still, I think he's only 32, so he's like right as prime of his athletic career. So just that exciting night in mixed martial arts and can't say enough good things about Mr. Volcanowski.

That was as deep as it can get. No, no shit. As deep as it can get, I remember I was making fucking weird noises. I remember I was sitting and I was like going, I don't know what noise I made, but I remember he even said I was gurgling, But that was like a weird, oh fuck, like, you know what I mean? Like, I'm about to lose his belt, like, you're kidding.

And then I'm like, obviously keep fighting and just open the little bit of space. I'm like, all right, I'm good. And then got my chin out, and then it was all good. And then I knew I'd be up from there. And then he chucked me in the fucking triangle as well. So, mate, he just shows, you know, T City. He's known for his jiu-jitsu. You know, I thought that he wouldn't get me that deep.

But he did, credit to him. He made me really dig deep to get out of there. But, again, I've showed time and time again that I always dig deep. and, you know, that's what champions are made of. April 9th, 2022, UFC 273, Volcanowski versus Korean zombie, Jacksonville, Florida. Volcanovsky returns to the cage in another main event pay-per-view bout.

This time, opposite fan favorite, the Korean zombie. Oh, man, I'm pumped for this. I'm absolutely pumped, you know, obviously it's a new face. Well, not really a new face, but I mean, obviously, across Octagon for me, but he's definitely a familiar face.

He's been around forever. It's a guy that I've always want to, I've always thought I was going to fight. You know what I mean? It's a zombie's been at the top of the game ever since this featherweight division has ever started. So, you know, it was something that this is a legacy fight. This is someone, you know, I've taken out a lot of the legends and I want to keep taking

out legends. So he's definitely one of them. You know, he's earned this spot, you know what I mean, definitely has. So I'm motivated 100%. Again, like it's, I'm going to be motivated no matter who's in front of me because it's there's expectation what I want, you know, out of myself. So I'm going to go out there. do my thing, but unfortunately for him, you know what I mean?

I'm happy for him that he got a title shot. He's probably going to be his last title shot. And again, I'm not look, you know, I don't want to say I'm looking past him like I'm cocky, but I mean, where I'm at right now, I can't see myself being beaten. You know, I did him a solid by, or we did him a solid by giving him this last shot. But that's it. That's as far as his favor goes, because I'm going to take that away from him. But yeah.

The champion dominates and finishes the durable brawler early in round four. Well, I think tonight he came out and made a statement, you know what I mean, that I'm the baddest dude to this division of the world. He made the zombie look like he didn't even belong there. And, you know, fight probably could have been stopped around before it did. But he couldn't look better than he looked tonight. He looked incredible. I'm in a position where, you know, I can do a couple of things. And if this division don't want to sort itself out, and they're all going to sit back and just fucking wait for shit.

And then fine, I'll move up and fight lightweight. Again, I'm an easy champ to understand. Take that number one spot, you get that shot. If not, let's move up. I think we're in a good position to maybe move up, see what happens in this live-way division title fight, and maybe move up, because again, I'm showing them levels ahead in this division, maybe we move up.

Have you given a lot of thought time? Do you know how your game would perform at 155? Would you want to, like, pack a lot of weight on and stay there, or go back and forth? No, man, I don't think I need to. I'm pretty strong for the featherweight division. I'm strong for a lightweight division too. Most of my trainer partners are lightweights and welter weights and things like that anyway.

So, you know, I fought at middleweight. You know, people forget, you know, we talk about pound for pound. You've got to remember, I'm undefeated middleweight. My only loss is that welterweight. You know, I'm undefeating every other division. You know what I mean? So look what I'm doing to some of these guys. And I fought in all different weights.

We talk about pound for pound, you know what I mean? It's there. I'm showing you what I can do. So, and again, I'm owning that crown, man. And honestly, so from now on, bald Volk, as I said last fucking time I talked to you guys. Little Volk's coming from fucking everyone.

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The former Featherway title holder and now Challenger takes on the reigning champion Alexander Volkadovsky for the third time. I always told myself that, you know, the belt doesn't define you, you know. I'm a champion. I've been telling my champion, I've been telling everybody that. I'm going to be a champion and I was a champion from since when I first got into the UFC. You know, that's just the way that you got to carry yourself. You know, if you don't carry yourself that way, then why are you fighting, you know?

Are you fighting to be the second best in the world? That makes no sense, you know. So I keep telling myself that I'm the best and I'm the champion, you know, it is what it is. If you disagree, then we can figure it out in the Ocagon. It's crazy, you know, when in the last decade, you know, they just, did this fight happen where two top guys in the top in the top 10 palm of pound ring you happen how many times did it happen you know i mean the only guys that come to mind is dc and jones you know that's the only guys you know and we're here now you know this this

fight these things don't happen you know and these are things that excite me you know we get to be a part of that history and um to you guys to all to all the hardcore fans this is what they want they want the best of the best fighting each other and here they are you know these top Pound-for-pound fighters don't fight each other. They just don't. It doesn't happen. It happens every soft in a decade, and we're getting blessed with one right now.

You know, all week, all I heard it was you guys talking about damage. We're talking about damage here. Oh, you guys, damage, this, damage that. I'm known for taking damage, and he's known for not giving it, so let's get it. We're going to see Saturday night, right? That's the beauty of it. That's why you can't spar anymore, because you're punching the head too much. I can't hear it.

I can't hear you. Let them have them nine island. Let them have them. Let him have it. Let him have it. Oh, good. I can't hear you to the noise. I hear all day. I can't hear shit. Brother. Hey, you-1-0, better be free. Now, let's fucking go. Saturday night, me. Hey, I just want to say, I want to say, booze, the booze, everything, the energy and he. I love it. I love it too. The food was the, yeah. Volcanovsky dominates Holloway and wins a lopsided, unanimous decision. Obviously, a finish is always good, but I mean, for people to expect a finish with a fight like this, we're both durable, both tough, we're both smart.

You know what I mean? It's, again, a legendary tune that I wanted a crack and it stays legendary again. So credit to him. Is there a prep, like, let's say Charles goes and fights Connor right, but he's not technically the champion, so you could end up fighting Islam for the vacant belt. Do you have a preference out of those two who you'd like to fight or do you think it needs to be Charles as a, like to justify the challenge? Charles is a bigger fight because he's, let's be honest, he's a really. he's really the champion. He's out-ground champ.

You know what I mean? He's a champ. Everyone looks at him as a champ. So that's the bigger fight. But if Islam was to fight him and while I'm healing or something, they had that fight and Islam takes it, then it's Islam. Whoever's got hold on that belt or whoever's considered the chair. That's what I want.

I want a nice shiny belt above shoulders. I want to even even it out. I'm already got a saw back sometimes, you know what I mean, from hiring the one belt, so I need two. Levin me out. February 11th, 2023, UFC 284, Makachev versus Volkanovsky, Perth, Western Australia. Islam Makachev is set to defend his title for the first time against lightweight newcomer and current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanowski.

If I beat Wolkenovsky, I'm going to be bound for pound best fighter in the world. This is my dream. That's why we call Alex. The game is changed when I take the belt. now the people of fighters know my name, you know, before they try to avoid me. But for him, you know, it's good fight. What he's going to lose? Bailed, nothing. He just come to the fight, make money, but after that fight, he can step his division

and be there like champion. He's not losing much on this fight. Do I think I had a harder path? two, you know, pound for pound and all that. Yeah, like, you know, look at my resume, but do I believe he is as good as the number one pound for pound? Yeah, or number two pound for pound, yeah, for sure. I believe he definitely deserves to be up here.

He's a great fighter. So, you know, that, I mean, yeah, again, you probably look at the resume, still look at a resume, but it's probably not as good and as deep as a sum of ours, but at the same time when it comes to skill, he's definitely right up there. A lot has been made of what this win would mean if Alex got it. I'm curious, you know how good you are. If he beats you this weekend, could he be considered the greatest of all time?

It's not possible because I am the champion and we fight 150 fight. This is not his area. This is other power, other division. I'm going to beat him easy. In what turned out to be MMA fighting's 2023 fight of the year, Makachev wins an extremely competitive decision and remains lightweight champion. Now I'm not just champion.

I'm best fighter in the world. And, you know, I am very happy. Alex is... Now people are going to call me, not just champ, best fighter in the world. This is my dream. And doesn't matter how I won,

I'm very happy. Ah, look, man, it was a close fight. So what can you do? I'm the type of person that I could have done more, so I'm a bit harder on myself. You know, a lot of people probably, you know, a lot of people counting me out. So they're like, oh, hey, wow, like, you know what I mean? But I was never counting myself out. I was expected to win, so I'm disappointed.

I know I could have done more. I could have capitalised on the things earlier as well. I did think he was going to be stronger. And, you know, I probably could have done more earlier. But anyway, what do you do? Credit to him. Well-rounded, yeah? I underestimated his strike and he underestimated my wrestling and stuff like that.

So what do you do? Mix martial arts, yeah? At least we fooled all out there. I'm hearing that he was saying, I heard of his spot could be wrong, that he was going back to his corner saying he wants to rematch because he thought he lost. So that's funny. I would jump on that. Rematch.

The concept of pound for pounds a weird thing, right? It's like, oh, if you're the same size with your current skill set, who wins that fight? Well, that's the thing. He put the title on the right line, right? Which is, yeah, like, we'll fight for his title. But, I mean, pound for pound, like, you know, like, let's remember pound for pound. It goes to size. And why do you think I was a massive underdog and stuff like that?

But at the same time, I expected to win. So I'm going to sit there and be like, oh, he was bigger and all that. I was like, yeah, you went up to fucking lightweight, of course. You know what I mean? That's expected. But pound for pound is a funny thing. you know, me going out there winning would have showed just why, you know, I'm that pound for pound, you know what I mean?

But you can see that I could definitely win that fight. I definitely want that fight back. If you could describe the fallout of this fight, whether it's a personal thing or something else, what word would you use and why? Lunacy. And honestly, I feel like that's kind of self-explanatory. If you are a rational person who has been engaging with this this week, It has been insane.

And I came into that fight more than probably most people thinking that it would be one-way traffic. I stood on my corner and was like, I respect Alexander Volkinovokovsky. I think he's the best pound fighter in the world. But when Islam gets going, that is a train downhill. He is not going to be able to stop it. I was dead ass wrong on that. No questions asked all the way wrong. Everyone else and myself were wrong that Volkanis.

would just run him on the feet. He didn't. He lost the fight on the feet. If that is just a striking match, if we're only counting the striking portions of it, he lost the fight on the feet. The narratives were so flipped, but coming out of that event,

no one is really talking about the back half. That has happened more as we've gotten a little more space from it. Cooler heads have prevailed a little more where people can and have been giving Islam the recognition he deserves for that. but for much of this post-UFC 284 aftermath, it has been the narrative of Alexander Volcanovsky, how he exceeded expectations, how he won four rounds,

which is freaking insane to argue that, and the general trend of that, largely I think, because one, he overachieved, two, he ended well, and that always tricks people into thinking that the first four rounds don't matter because he won the fifth.

And then three, people just really like him. And I've seen a lot of people come out and be like, I love this side of all. I love kind of all his, the antics during the fight and all that. Like, they really gravitated towards that. And it has been this swirling mass of lunacy that has then created this, we got to run it back immediately and Islam robbed him and all these sorts of really insane takes for a fight that I felt immediately, after rewatching, I still feel Islam won.

But the fight was awesome. And it would be okay. to just appreciate, that was really, really good. It's not the best fight we've ever seen, but the stakes were high, the drama was high, the action was good and as technical as it gets. One guy won, one guy lost, and we can revisit this in a year

when both guys do the necessary things in their own weight classes. And then that can hopefully be even bigger and even better. But the overwhelming sentiment for me coming out of this is that like a large portion of the MMA fan has gone insane. I think people want to deny Makachev,

based on certain expectations that they had for him or certain media narratives, or he's not the Habib, I remember, I miss Habib X-O-X-O. And that's, I get that sentiment. We all miss Habib, but this dude is a hammer. He is a defensively sound hammer. He turns out a very well-rounded hammer and a guy who I think does not get in the respect

he deserves at all coming off that win. May 6th, 2023, UFC 2.3, UFC 2.5,000, 288 Sterling versus Ahudo, Newark, New Jersey. On short notice, the 21 and 5 Diego Lopez makes his UFC debut against top 10 ranked Mavzar Evloev. You know, I was sad because Bryce finally escaped his fight, but injuries is part of our game. And I'm very grateful that the UFC saved this fight. You know, I'm here, I want to fight, and I need more fights, and I spend a lot of time with my injury last year for COVID.

I need more fights to get finally this title, inshallah. And after this fight, maybe they organized again this fight with Bryce or someone else. You know, I need good names. Maybe zombie will fight. You know, nothing only respect, but I need good names. What do you think of Mavsar obviously undefeated? He's been doing some great things. Not a lot of people want to fight him and he's stepped up.

So what do you think you can do with this guy? Nah, it's this, yeah. Yeah, I'm here to fight with him. So, so it's a opportunity that I always have to be, I've been to look at the better. If no wants to fight him, here I am. I showed up to fight. I think it's a great opportunity for my career.

I think that people already knowing me for just taking the fight on short notice, and on Saturday they're going to know even more about me. Lopez drops a very competitive decision to the undefeated of Loya. The fight earns Lopez and of Lov-Fight of the night honors. Lopez would return to the cage and face Gavin Tucker at UFC Fight Night, Sanhagen v. Font, in Nashville the following August. Lopez wins by Triangle Arm Bar in round one. and earns back-to-back performance bonuses.

July 8th, 2023, UFC 290, Volcanovsky versus Rodriguez, Las Vegas, Nevada. Alexander Volcanovsky returns to the featherweight division to defend his 145 pound belt against the now interim UFC featherweight champion, Yair Rodriguez. Was it hard to get the mindset back to the, you know, it's still impressive to dominate a division the way you have? I mean, look, obviously it's stung straight after it,

but play on it. I mean, you know, it just adds to the story. I'm going to get that rematch. Don't worry. I'm going to do my business this weekend, and I'll get that rematch. And then it's just going to add to the story. You know what I mean? It was a close one.

Do we think we did enough? Yeah. Was it a robbery? No, it was a very, very close fight. I know that, but I showed you guys and I showed everyone that, you know, well, I definitely wasn't going to get ragged like everyone thought. And, you know, I ended up on top and really put it on him. But the next one, I'll take that win, and it's just going to add to the story.

In another sensational performance, Volcanowski finishes El Pantera by right hook and ground strikes late into round three. What Alexander Volcanowski is putting together is, I said it at the top, but it's so incredibly special at this point, right? Like, this man is my number one pound for pound fighter in MMA. And we just watched him steal Yai'r Rodriguez's soul straight out of his body on Saturday night in really a way that no one has done since, like, Frankie Edgar, all the way back in 2017. And that was like when Yaya was just an infant, like a base. in this game. And also, like, take into effect, like, what was it? It was 2012, right?

It was just a couple years ago when Yair went to absolute war with Max Holloway and showed all sorts of tremendous heart. And again, Volcanovsky just completely sucked that out of him tonight. To me, the one stat that sort of says it all, Alexander Volkanovsky absorbed just 13 significant head strikes over 14 minutes of action tonight. 13 significant head strikes. Alexander Moganovsky got hit clean in the head less than once per minute throughout this fight. Like what this man continues to do is incredible.

I'm so deeply uninterested in the goat discussion, and I hope we don't have to do that again here because it just takes away from all of the victories that this man continues to pile up. But it's just, again, this to me is the best fighter in all of MMA right now. He is the most talented guy doing this. And tonight was just a masterclass, again, as showing his dominance. over this division incredible stuff is an incredible performance from

Alexander Volcanozzi right like this and that's the thing I'm Volkater I've never once said that that man is anything other than incredible very real like there's a very real argument that he is the best fighter we have ever seen and I have said that since

watching him pitch a perfect game back to back perfect games frankly against Chan Sung Jung and Max Holloway like it's really there's like a very legitimate argument is the best fire we've ever seen uh i don't care about doing the the goat talk we can have it if if the fans deem it necessary uh but this was perfect from him and this is the thing i have wanted the whole time while people like jed you suck no you know what's dope when champions

defend their belts against the best guys in the division because we can just look back and be like holy shit man it's pretty cool he just beat this dude and in 20s 12 years, uh, some new hot guy will, will be coming up, you know, uh,

Ilya Tuporio will have a hell of a run going. And people will look back and be like, yo, V. Ia Rodriguez. He sucks shit. He's not really worth anything. And we can do this whole song and dance over.

But me, I'll be like, man, a title defense. That's incredible. Keep doing more of that, please. Because this is what I love about fighting.

I love watching the best guys in the world. Just establish a, level of dominance that is not unprecedented but incredibly unique and doesn't happen. I want to appreciate this part of it and I did. I thought this was a phenomenal night from Volcanovsky. You can't take anything away from him over how this happened or it was as close to perfect a performance as you can have again. No one can actually beat me.

I don't believe anyone can beat me, but everyone has a puncher's chance. Everyone can catch you and there's no one that's more dangerous and got a better chance of doing that than you are here with Regis. So there was, you know, obviously going into the game plan, you know, I showed him that respect. Mentally, I prepared as telling myself this. So it made me turn up in the gym every single day. Made me get the right training partners.

It made me, you know, try and work out a good game plan. You know, systematically break him down. Take away a lot of his main tools. And I think we did a great job. He still was always going to be able to throw things because he's that creative. So that's why it was always going to be dangerous. But I was able to nullify a lot of his main tools, things that he would usually be able to do frequently.

He couldn't do that with me, and then I was able to capitalize on that. So what is most important to you? You keep saying that lightweight. Oh, man, like we all know I want that lightweight belt. You know, we all know I want that rematch. You know, what that Islam fight? I think not only for me to get that belt, for me to get that win back, but I think it is a massive fight for the UFC as well.

I think it's a fight everyone wants to see. It was literally that type of fight. It was that close. It was a cracking fight. Everyone enjoyed it and he was a very, very high level. There was one and two going at it and we showed out. It really was that. Yeah, he lived up to the hype.

I lived up to the hype and that fight lived up to the hype. We just need to see five to ten. October 21st, 2023, UFC 294, Makaachev versus Volkanowski 2, Abu Dhabi. In his second title defense, Isll Makhachev is scheduled to defend his title against the man he defeated to win UFC gold Charles Olivera in a rematch. However, Olivera suffers an injury less than two weeks before the matchup. And on 12 days notice, the UFC ends up booking a direct rematch between the lightweight champion and the featherweight champion Volcanowski to headline UFC 294. This will be Volcanovsky's second attempt to become a simultaneous

UFC multiweight champion. I don't have any pressure because I am. I I'm a champion, it doesn't matter who is going to be in front of me. But I agree, this guy don't have any pressures. He came 11 days and I already beat him. And if I beat him again, people are going to say, he comes short, no, it is not good shape, something like this. But for me, it's nothing means I just step to the cage, finish this guy, that's it. Man, last time, last time in Australia, brother.

Everything is changed, everything is changed. He needs all the advantages he can get. That's all he thinks about. I don't need none of that. I've got these, that's all I worry about. You don't need, I need this, brother. I rely on my skills, not crowds, not nothing. Everybody know what you need, just money, that's it.

One thing I will say about that. I don't know what mentality or mindset he has. I want to avenge my losses. You know what I mean? It burns me when I, you know what I mean? I didn't get my hand raised. That hurts me. Now I have to do it on 12 days' notice.

And I'm okay with that. I accept that and I'm ready to put on a show. You have to say thanks to me. I can choose some any other opponent. We have gum rod, we have four years, everybody ready for fight to the belt. But I give you second time, Shane. But everyone wants this rematch anyway, so we're going to put on a show. Just say thank you, that's it.

Do you think this will be a technical fight or can you see this being a firefight in the middle where someone gets to finish early? I mean, obviously there's going to be a lot of skill involved, but I've made it clear. They know, they know what's happening. Like I ain't here to play it safe. I can't afford to play it safe. I'm going in for the kill and that's it, you know what I mean? So it's killer be killed, you know, and that's that. This time, there would be no judging controversy as Makachev delivers a knockout of the year candidate head kick and defeats Volker

for the second time in his many fights. I'm really happy to finish the first round because after, if it's happened in championship round, people start to talk. He's a take this short notice. He's not ready for championship round. But I'm really happy because I finish all these things in the first round. Well done. all this story with Volkanowski is finished right now.

Do you feel like this proves you are the best fighter in the world right now? Of course. Some people underestimated my striking, but I show in the first fight, I showed that people my striking. And I think now people will respect my striking and I just show, I am not just wrestled, grappler or striker. I know I'm a best fight and I'm a best fight, The first MMA fight during the world. Yes, this fight came together very quickly. Yes, Alexander Volcanovsky stepped up on less than two weeks notice for Charles Olivera. Their first fight, fight of the year contender, Isl Makhachev made sure.

And you could kind of see it in his face. We talked about it on the watch party. This man just looked ready to go. He looked focused. Not that he was ever in bad shape, but he looked in impeccable shape. And you noticed it when Bruce Buffer was given the introduction. and then he just goes out and just ices Alexander Volcanovsky. Your reaction to what we saw from the lightweight champion of the world in the main event.

What else is there to say, man? Islam Makachev is that dude. Like he is. He is that man. That is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the entire planet. And the feeling that that man must be feeling right now inside of himself. He's heard for eight months straight about how all this controversy in the first fight, how Volk beat him, et cetera, et cetera.

Volk ended the fight with the momentum on top. If that fight goes longer, Vogue wins, everything that that man has heard over the last eight months. All gone now. All silent. That man put it to rest. There is no controversy here. He is, again, he is the best fighter in the entire world in my eyes.

And just what an all-around package this guy has become, right? Because this wasn't a Grappel Fest. This wasn't a Habibnurga-Madov-esque, just stifling a domination on the ground. That man just knocked out Alexander Volkanowski. Like, you can repeat that sentence as many times you want it as you want. Islamakov just knocked out Alexander Volkanowski with a head kick. That is crazy.

That is not an outcome that I think many people saw coming. That is the first time Alexander Volkanowski's been knocked out since 2013. Like, this is just, if you were Islamankachev, this was the perfect performance to be able to quell all of that and just become who you are. I don't think this man lives under the shadow of Habibim, number go Madov anymore. He is a Islam Makachaf. He is one of the best lightweights we've ever seen, perhaps,

and he is now one fight away. Get this, right? He's now one fight away from tying the UFC's all-time record for most consecutive title defenses for a lightweight champion. The thing I had the biggest question mark coming in was, how good is he going to look?

Because there had been reports that he had been training since the hand injury or since the hand surgery for this. And seems pretty clear that if he had been, it wasn't like hard-nosed training prep for this. Like some of it imagined that this really was a coming off the couch thing. Casey and I talked about it during the post-fight presser. For as good as Makachev looked,

Volk did not look like he was at his peak of physical conditioning. And so I think it's pretty fair to say that this was not the best Volkanovsky. And considering the best Volkanovsky lost to this dude, you can't fight as a Machachev if you're paying 100% and all. the way, it just is going to be a really, really bad night for you because he's the best guy in the world and he's getting better. He's 31. He's getting better. Like you, I don't know what to do other than bring a bat with you to the cage because you ain't beating this man with just your hands. November 11th, 2023. UFC 295, Prakashka versus Pereira, New York City, New York.

Diego Lopez makes his third appearance in the UFC. This time, opposite Pat Sabatini, the Jiu-Jitsu ace surprises everyone with another first round finish, but this time, by strikes. The victory earns Lopez his third straight performance bonus. From May to now, could you ever have dreamed of this happen? At the beginning of the year, if I would have told you that you'd become this UFC star by the end of 2023, did you believe that this was going to happen? No, I thought that it was too rapid, but as, as, as how the things are doing doing,

He's taking advantage of everything. He's loving it and he knew it was going to happen, but not this fast. February 17, 2024, UFC 298 Volkanowski versus Tuporia, Anaheim, California. The champion Alexander Volkanowski is set to defend his belt against the undefeated Ilya Teporia. Who doesn't want to fight me right now? Who not? I didn't become a U.S.C. World Champion yet.

I have three more days to do it. They are really calling me out. Everyone. Everyone. Why? Yeah. Because they want to fight you. Yeah. And they're a big deal.

Yeah. Red Ponte Knights. This week for photos, you touched your belt the last time you did a face off. What does it mean to you if you're going to get that belt wrapped around you on Fight Night? That's what I've always said. You want to earn your not given to you. He took advantage of you. of taking a photo with the belt.

Like I said, you may as well take advantage of it now. You're never going to see it again. Not until I teach you a lesson. Maybe one day you can be a great champion. I'm going to kick your ass first. You'll learn your lesson. Maybe you can bounce back after that. But till then, get your hands off my belt.

Halfway through round two, Tuporia knocks out Volcanowski in devastating fashion with the right hook. The 15-0 Ilya Teporia, is now the UFC featherweight champion. Oh, nice, come. Holy shit. He can't even believe it.

Oh, my God. The loss would be Volcanovsky's first time losing as a featherweight in his second consecutive knockout loss. June 29, 2024, UFC 303, Herrera v. Prahachka 2, Las Vegas, Nevada. Diego Lopez is booked in his biggest fight date as he is set to face top ranked and former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega as the co-main event for the pay-per-view. In a wild turn of events, just hours before the actual fight, Lopez's opponent Brian Ortega falls ill and is forced to pull out of the event. Fellow top 15

ranked Dan Ege accepts the opportunity to face Lopez at a catchweight of 165 pounds just a few hours before the scheduled fight. Lopez would go on to win a decisive, but competitive decision. For fish, I told you yesterday, anyone, any time, anywhere. I'm going to fight every time. No, no problem. I think that what happened to do, in the last 48 hours, I need to be a little more of respect to my name,

I know, now. So I think I'm ready to put, to take a play against any of the top five. I think with everything that happened in the last 48 hours, I think people need to put some respect

on my name. I think I'm ready to fight anyone in the top five. September 14th, 2024, UFC 306, O'Malley versus Davalishvili, Las Vegas, Nevada. Riding a four-fight wind streak in the Octagon,

Diego Lopez is re-booked against Brian Ortega. Lopez dominates and takes home a lopsided decision victory over the top-ranked Ortega. Brian Ortega has only lost to UFC champions. Because it's true, the only people that Brian Ortega has lost to are people who have held UFC gold. Diego Lopez now in that number, perhaps that does pretend that he gets to hold U.S.

He'll, even Alexander Volcanovsky seems impressed. He's out here posting his next fight is for the title. Maybe he fights Lopez for an interim title, if that's something the UFC could be interested And I mean, this is a guy who, for a guy who, you know, lost his UFC debut, I mean, I'll be incredibly competitive with Mopsarab. But, you know, lost on Contender Series to Joe Anderson Brito, who's a damn good fighter. But still, losing on Contender Series a couple of years ago to now just taking the company by storm, the glowing things Dana said about him at the postpresser, people are asking, it's like, we love that guy, we'll do anything for that guy. like he's got the world by the ass right now and continues to to justify it continues to look great as more and more opportunities happen for him i never saw this coming and credit to him

man like this is a heck of a run he's on right now absolutely it's going to be real interesting to see we're we're i mean just go back to the i mean of loyven sterlinger fighting to give him the winner i love the volk idea i think that would be incredible i don't think volk will Unless there's a belt on the line, I don't think Volk takes that fight. I think he's just going to wait and see if he gets his shot and he probably should get it after the long run he was on. I think he's just angling for an interim belt because, you know, belts. But yes, I doubt he would fight that without a belt on the line.

But maybe the UFC decides to do an interim belt. I don't know. April 12, 2025, UFC 314, Volcanowski versus Lopez, Miami, Florida. After Ilya Teporia makes the surprising decision to vacate the UFC featherweight title in lieu of a move to the UFC's lightweight division. Alexander Volcanovsky, riding a two-fight losing streak, is booked in the pay-per-view main event against Diego Lopez for the now vacant UFC featherweight title. The matchup will be Lopez's first UFC title opportunity in his first UFC main event.

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There, the last one. Enjoy a Coca-Cola for a pause that refreshes.