Commentator believes Alexander Volkanovski's career is on the line against Diego Lopes at UFC 314

Alexander Volkanovski is a former UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @alexvolkanovski

PUBLICITY:

For Alexander Volkanovski , the main fight of UFC 314 , this Saturday (12), against Diego Lopes , is worth not only the vacant featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg), but also his career as a whole. At least that's what former fighter and current Ultimate commentator, Chael Sonnen , believes.

In a recent episode of his podcast 'Good Guy / Bad Guy' with Daniel Cormier , Sonnen stated that a third consecutive heavy defeat would result in an immediate retirement campaign for the former champion.

“If Volkanovski suffers the right kind of defeat, and I’m talking about if he goes down or suffers any kind of stoppage, which is the most likely path to victory for Diego Lopes , people might even call for his retirement. That would result in four losses in his last five fights, in different years and weight classes,” the American pointed out.

In Sonnen's opinion, the immense pressure experienced by Alexander Volkanovski has effects that are not only mental, but also physical.

“I’m not proud of it, but I try to analyze it and think about who’s under pressure, and pressure matters. We talk about it all the time, but we forget to explain it. The reason it matters is because pressure creates fatigue, and in a sport built around exhaustion, you don’t want to be the first one to get tired. I don’t think Volk is just fighting for a belt, I think he’s fighting for his career,” he concluded.

UFC 314 technical sheet

Date: April 12, 2025

Location: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida, United States

How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time, UFC Fight Pass (entire card) online.

MAIN CARD 

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Alexander Volkanovsk vs. Diego Lopes – title fight

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Michael Chandler x Paddy Pimblett

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Yair Rodriguez vs. Patrício Pitbull

Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes

PRELIMINARY CARD

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson

Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Yan Xiaonan x Virna Jandiroba

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Jim Miller x Chase Hooper

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Darren Elkins x Julian Erosa

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Sedriques Dumas x Michal Oleksiejczuk

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Su Mudaerji x Mitch Raposo

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Tresean Gore x Marco Tulio

Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan

Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.