Volkanovski Claims Confidence Ahead of UFC 314 Title Fight

MIAMI, Fla. — Alexander Volkanovski is set to challenge Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 on April 12. The former five-time defending champion, who has faced a tough stretch in his career, is confident that he remains the fighter to beat in the octagon.

Volkanovski, who holds a record of 26-4 in mixed martial arts, shared his thoughts in a recent interview ahead of the high-stakes matchup at the Kaseya Center. “I don’t believe anyone can beat me,” Volkanovski stated emphatically. “The only person that I can see giving me a tough fight for five rounds is Islam Makhachev, as you’ve seen. Everyone else has just got a puncher’s chance.”

After nearly a decade of being unbeaten, Volkanovski lost his title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, marking a critical turning point in his career. Two recent knockout losses followed, including a brief and unsuccessful return to lightweight against Makhachev at UFC 294. Despite this string of setbacks, Volkanovski’s confidence remains unshaken.

“They can catch me, so I think [Lopes] needs to be reckless to beat me,” he explained. “If he tries to fight this perfect fight, it’s not going to work.” Volkanovski emphasized that Lopes would need to adopt an aggressive strategy to compete effectively. “That’s his best chance,” he added, noting that such a style could also give him opportunities to capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes.

Volkanovski’s insight into Lopes, who boasts a record of 26-6, reflects both respect and readiness. Lopes has gained momentum with five consecutive victories leading up to this match, including notable wins against Dan Ige and Brian Ortega. However, Volkanovski believes that the pressure is on Lopes to initiate a fight that may favor him.

“He’s going to do what we all know he’s gonna do and what he’s been doing, which is exciting for the fans, but it opens a lot of doors for me,” Volkanovski said. “There’s a lot I can capitalize on and that I will capitalize on.”

As he prepares to step back into the octagon, Volkanovski acknowledged the importance of this fight for his career trajectory. “It’s a huge date for ‘The Great,’” he remarked, reflecting on how critical this bout is for reclaiming his place as a champion in the featherweight division.

The atmosphere leading up to UFC 314 has been charged with anticipation, not just for the clash between Volkanovski and Lopes, but also for how it might dictate the future of the featherweight division. With Topuria having vacated his title, there’s no shortage of narrative as veteran contenders like Volkanovski seek to reestablish themselves among the elite.