Diego Lopes' UFC 314 opponent, Alexander Volkanovski, admits problems in duel with Ilia Topuria

A. Volkanovski at a press conference after the UFC 266 (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube)

More than a year after losing the Ultimate featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg) to Ilia Topuria, Alexander Volkanovsky has the chance to return to the top of the category by facing Diego lopes in the main fight of UFC 314, April 12. After several months since he last stepped into the octagon, the Australian has been reflecting on some factors that influenced his performance against the Georgian/Spanish.

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Ilia Topuria (right) and Alexander Volkanovsky (left) after fight in UFC 298. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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In an interview at Espaitec's North American'MightyCast', presented by the former Ultimate flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg.), Demetrious Johnson, he recalled the process involved in accepting the fight with Topuria. Volkanovski had been knocked out by Islam makhachev in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg) just three months earlier, but accepted to defend his title without much time to rest.

“I said I would never hold divisions. A lot of people thought I was crazy fighting three months later against Ilia Topuria, but nobody could have changed my mind. That's what I had, I was like, 'No, I'm going back there. This is my job, my responsibility. I said I wasn't going to hold divisions, I'm not going to hold divisions,'” ​​the fighter said.

ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKY OUT COLD pic.twitter.com/zvGldhWxCy

— Stream Highlights Clips (@selfimprovement) February 18, 2024

Recalling the circumstances behind his decision to accept the fight, he also mentioned how he may have been affected by returning to action at such short notice.

“They (the media) were like, ‘Oh, and if you’re coming off a knockout loss, it messes with your confidence and everything.’ I called that bullshit, there’s no way, I didn’t believe any of it. You couldn’t have told me that and the only time I maybe felt something, a little bit, was when I was in the Octagon. That’s when I was like, ‘Okay, maybe there’s something to it,’” the Australian confessed.

Alexander Volkanovsky e Diego lopes will decide a new featherweight champion in UFC 314. Photo: Reproduction X UFC