{"id":37717,"date":"2025-04-07T14:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T13:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=37717"},"modified":"2025-04-07T14:56:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T13:56:45","slug":"alexander-volkanovski-hyped-to-take-on-young-hungry-diego-lopes-at-ufc-314","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/alexander-volkanovski-hyped-to-take-on-young-hungry-diego-lopes-at-ufc-314\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexander Volkanovski Hyped To Take On ” Young Hungry” Diego Lopes At UFC 314\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fighting at the highest level of MMA<\/a> requires adaptability both inside and outside the cage. Alexander Volkanovski knows this better than most. The Australian fighter has faced an extraordinary rollercoaster over the past two years. From his dominant featherweight reign to his brave lightweight challenges against Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski has never shied away from difficult fights. <\/p>

His brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria last February shocked the MMA world. Many wondered if they had seen the last of ‘The Great’ as a championship-level fighter. But those who counted Volkanovski out clearly don’t understand his resilience.<\/p>

The road back to title contention hasn’t been straightforward for the former champion. At 36, many fighters would consider winding down their careers after such setbacks. Not Volkanovski. His determination to reclaim what he once held has led him to this moment. After healing from his losses and rebuilding his confidence, he is now set to face one of the division’s hottest prospects. The matchup against Diego Lopes represents a classic clash between experienced championship pedigree and hungry young talent.<\/p>

Also Read: Michael Chandler Gives His Take On Cheating Allegations Ahead Of UFC 314 Fight<\/a><\/p>

Alexander Volkanovski Reveals Reaction To Ilia Topuria Vacating Title <\/h2>

When Volkanovski was made aware that he wasn’t fighting Ilia Topuria for the title, he was caught off guard. The Australian fighter had made his mind to take on Ilia Topuria in a rematch and win his title back. But fate had other plans.<\/p>

“If they just told me 2 months ago ‘Yeah, you are not fighting Ilia, you are fighting Diego’ I was like ‘Woah what’s going on?’ I just found out two weeks before they announced it that it was going to be Lopes. By then, i was like, just give me a fight, just make sure it was for the title. So that made this process easier,”<\/em><\/strong> said Volkanovski in an interview with TNT Sports.<\/p>

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“This is the next best thing, a young hungry guy who’s on a tear…it adds to my story!”

Alex Volkanovski on Ilia Topuria vacating and facing Diego Lopes for the featherweight strap 👀#UFC314<\/a> | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com\/l1Rg4ZZ8kP<\/a><\/p>— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 7, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>