By the age of 35, most fighters tire, but Alexander Volkanovski drove harder on the pedal. At UFC 314 in Miami in a high-pressure faceoff, “The Great” cemented his case as one of the all-time greats by dominating Brazilian starlet Diego Lopes via unanimous decision to reclaim the featherweight championship. The scores—48-47, 49-46, 49-46—were testament to a lesson in patience, precision, and power.
A Legacy Reborn
Volkanovski wasn’t merely fighting Lopes—he was fighting the demons of consecutive knockout defeats and retirement rumours. However, rather than disappearing into the night, he came back sharper and calmer than ever. With Ilia Topuria relinquishing the belt, the Aussie didn’t merely take an opportunity—he solidified a legacy.
No previous champion above 35 had ever regained UFC gold before. Volkanovski broke that ceiling with intent.
Tactical Brilliance in Every Round
The fight opened with Volkanovski’s signature leg kicks, disrupting Lopes’s rhythm early. Though Lopes answered back, it was clear the Australian had come prepared to dissect rather than dominate recklessly.
The tide turned in Round 1 when Volkanovski rocked Lopes with a left hand and secured a takedown before the buzzer. From there, he dictated the pace—stinging with jabs, controlling clinches, and forcing the younger fighter into a reactive state.
Even when Lopes landed a surprise knockdown late in Round 2, Volkanovski’s resolve didn’t crack. Instead, he returned in Round 3 with cleaner strikes and ring generalship that only a seasoned veteran could summon.
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Heart Meets Skill in a Five-Round War
Lopes had his moments—particularly in the fifth, when a clean shot to Volkanovski’s chin briefly staggered the champ—but the Brazilian fighter couldn’t finish the job. Volkanovski’s experience and conditioning prevailed, slipping out of danger, then closing the bout with a furious flurry at the center of the Octagon. Miami roared in appreciation—not just for the winner but for the war.
The Return of “The Great”
Following the battle, Volkanovski declared adversity “a gift,” and on Saturday evening, he reaffirmed it. From doubt in himself to champion of the world once more, this wasn’t a comeback – it was a resurrection.
At 145 pounds, Australia now has its own monarch. With Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC possesses a champion unwilling to let great things escape him.
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