Alexander Volkanovsky is a former UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @alexvolkanovski
FOR Alexander Volkanovsky, the main fight of the 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 the former fighter and current Ultimate commentator believes, Chael Sonnen.
In a recent edition of his podcast 'Good Guy / Bad Guy', with Daniel Cormier, Sonnen stated that a third consecutive heavy defeat would result in an immediate campaign for the former champion to retire.
“If Volkanovski suffers the right kind of defeat, and I’m talking about if he goes down or suffers any kind of stoppage, that is the most likely path to victory for Diego lopes, people can even ask for his retirement. That would result in four defeats in the last five fights, in different years and weight categories”, pointed out the American.
In Sonnen's opinion, such pressure suffered by Alexander Volkanovsky It has not only mental but also physical effects.
“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
Order date: April 12th 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 x Diego lopes – fight for the belt
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Michael chandler x Paddy Pimblett
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Bryce mitchell x Jean Silva
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Yair Rodriguez x Patrick Pitbull
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Nikita Krylov x Dominick reyes
PRELIMINARY CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Dan Ige x Sean Woodson
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): yan xiaonan x Virna jandiroba
Light weight (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 Marcus Tullius
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Nora Cornolle x Hailey Cowan
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