At 36, many thought Alexander Volkanovski’s best days in the octagon were behind him.
But the Aussie fighter had other plans—and he made sure the whole world knew it. In a nigh
t full of adrenaline, grit, and history-making punches, Volkanovski silenced the doubters and reclaimed his UFC Featherweight title with a hard-fought win over Brazil’s Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in Miami.
A Battle of Heart and Endurance at the Kaseya Centre
The fight was anything but easy. Volkanovski had to go through five punishing rounds in front of a roaring crowd at the Kaseya Centre.
At one point, he was knocked down by a brutal overhand right.
Later, an uppercut to the eye temporarily robbed him of his vision. But through all of it, he kept pressing forward.
The final verdict? A unanimous decision from the judges—48-47, 49-46, 49-46—all in his favor.
The win didn’t just give him back the belt; it also made him the first fighter over 35 to win a UFC title at 155 pounds or lower, breaking a long-standing age barrier in the sport.
“It’s Good to Be Back”: Volkanovski Reflects on His Comeback
After his hand was raised in victory, an emotional Volkanovski took a moment to reflect.
“A lot of people counted me out,” he admitted. “The 35-year-old curse, the long break, losing the belt—people thought I was done.
But adversity is a privilege, and coming back to beat a fighter like Diego Lopes… this moment is incredible.”
He also spoke about what the win meant beyond the octagon. “It’s not just about bringing the belt home,” he said.
“It’s about overcoming those two tough losses. It’s about showing my kids that you don’t fold when the world turns on you—you rise.”
Diego Lopes Brings the Fire in First Title Fight
Let’s not forget—Lopes wasn’t just some placeholder opponent.
He came into the bout on a five-fight win streak, known for his dangerous knockout power.
And he didn’t disappoint. In round two, his overhand right floored Volkanovski.
In round four, a sharp jab followed by a crushing uppercut left the Aussie partially blind.
But even with the momentum swinging in Lopes’ favor at times, he couldn’t keep Volkanovski down.
Volkanovski’s Left Jab and Tactical Striking Turn the Tide
Despite the scary moments, Volkanovski kept his composure.
His experience and fight IQ kicked in, especially in the fourth and fifth rounds. He landed 134 significant strikes—double what Lopes managed.
The left jab that had been a key weapon early in the fight made a strong return in the final round.
Lopes, looking for a late knockout, urged Volkanovski to stand and trade in the center of the octagon.
But Volkanovski stayed smart, avoiding a wild finish and sticking to his strategy.
A Career-Defining Win After a Rough Patch
It’s worth noting: before this fight, Volkanovski had lost three out of his last four, including the title to Ilia Topuria in 2024.
For many fighters, that might’ve marked the beginning of the end. But not for this guy.
“I’m always my hardest critic,” he said post-fight. “I felt like I could’ve done more. But what matters is getting through it.
That’s what this fight was about—getting back up when you’ve been knocked down, literally and figuratively.”
Lopes Proves He Belongs Among the Best
Even in defeat, Lopes earned serious respect. This was his first-ever five-round fight, and he gave a former champion all he could handle.
His resilience and aggressive striking made it clear—he’s not going anywhere, and he’ll likely be a top contender again soon.
The Emotional Weight of Victory Hits Back Home
For Volkanovski, the belt isn’t the only thing he’s bringing back to Australia. The deeper meaning of this win—coming back from losses, proving people wrong, pushing through pain—is something he wants to share with his family and friends.
“What it represents, what I’ve done—that’s special,” he said. “When I get back home and see everyone, that’s when it’ll really hit me.”
A Historic Moment for the Featherweight Division
This wasn’t just another title bout—it was a legacy fight. Volkanovski etched his name in the UFC history books once again, not just by regaining the belt, but by becoming the oldest fighter under 155 pounds to do it.
And while the pain in his hands from punching Lopes’s “freaking hard head” might linger for a while, the victory will stay with him forever.