Alexander Volkanovski has experienced both the highs and lows that come with being a UFC superstar! The Aussie ace was most likely on the path of becoming the greatest 145fer ever to grace the eight-sided cage. But what goes up must come down. And that’s exactly what happened with the former champ. Back-to-back setbacks against Islam Makhachev at 155lbs and then getting demolished by Ilia Topuria for the division crown, these losses were tough! Moreover, many thought that this was it. However, the Aussie has another chance to regain his lost glory at UFC 314 when he will challenge Diego Lopes for the soon-to-be-vacant featherweight crown.
But can Volkanovski actually regain his crown? If we look at history, the results haven’t been very kind. Remember Anderson Silva and his fall from grace once he lost his 185lbs title? Once on a 16-fight win streak, ‘The Spider’ retired with just 1 win in his last 8 UFC outings and had to retire inside an empty Apex center. Or BJ Penn? ‘The Prodigy’ was once considered the best 155fer to ever grace the Octagon. But once he dropped his belt to Frankie Edgar, the writing was on the wall. The second half of Penn’s career was a horror movie, to say the least.
This pattern has sparked discussion, including from former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen, who sees parallels between these setbacks and what could be ahead for ‘The Great.’ In his latest YouTube video, ‘The American Gangster’ gave a sharp verdict on who he believes will win between Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Speaking on that decline, Sonnen said: “If you go from number one and somebody runs you down. If somebody can run you down, you can come to number two you can keep working hard and doing your thing, and then somebody else figures it out and they catch you and you come down to number three it’s not like that in fighting, if you’re number one in fighting and all of a sudden somebody runs you down you’re instantly number eight! You not only lose the one spot, you can’t beat the two, three, four, five, six, or seven either it’s just an interesting thing.”
According to Chael Sonnen, if a fighter in the number one position loses their spot in boxing, wrestling, or MMA, they can never truly get it back. Once you’re dethroned, the door doesn’t reopen. Sonnen also gave his ultimate verdict on who would win the fight and walk away with the belt. He said,
“If you are ever number 1 and you lose your spot then you will never get that spot back. And the only way you can even be competitive is if you go way down the roster and I don’t know why that is. There seems to be a hesitation. Seems to be a little bit like, the 4-minute mile but as far as a life or a career or who has done more wonderful things! None of that, none of that was the question. Criteria right now is simply who’s going to win! Lopes versus Volkanovski. And the answer is Lopes!”
June 29, 2022, LAS VEGAS, NV, LAS VEGAS, NV, United States: LAS VEGAS, NV – June 29: Alexander Volkanovski meets with the press for media day at UFC Apex for UFC 276 – Adesanya vs Connonier – Media Day on June 29, 2022 in LAS VEGAS, NV, United States. LAS VEGAS, NV United States – ZUMAp175 20220629_zsa_p175_002 Copyright: xLouisxGrassex
There’s no question that Volkanovski is the biggest test of Lopes’ career. But the former champ might not be the same fighter who captured the featherweight title against Max Holloway without losing a single fight for nearly a decade. Now, the question is: will the legendary champion pass the torch to the division’s rising force?
Alexander Volkanovski is ready for his UFC 314 title clash
Despite running on a tough 1-3 record in his last four fights, Volkanovski remains optimistic about his next chance to prove himself to the fans. While speaking to Brett Okamoto on ESPN MMA, the 36-year-old did not deny that he had doubts leading up to UFC 314. However, the Aussie has once again found a path to recover his self-confidence.
He said, “In between the times, but having that break, I was comfortable with just being me. And then I knew well there were questions, am I gonna be able to flip the switch? Am I gonna be the same guy once I flip that switch? We found out that early, like we started a camp nice and early, that we would.”
April 7, 2022, Jacksonville, Florida, JACKSONVILLE, FL, United States: JACKSONVILLE, FL – April 7: Alexander Volkanovski meets with the press and the fans for the press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Times Union Center for UFC 273 – Volkanovski vs The Korean – Presser on April 7, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Jacksonville, Florida United States – ZUMAp175 20220407_zsa_p175_040 Copyright: xLouisxGrassexz
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There’s an obvious age gap between the two, with Lopes being six years younger than Volk. The fight is expected to be a tactical slugfest, but many—like Chael Sonnen—believe Lopes has the upper hand. Daniel Cormier has also expressed doubt about Volkanovski’s chances. During a conversation with Sonnen, DC said, “Do you feel that it’s a great fight but Volk, if he isn’t careful he becomes the honky tonk man.” It’s definitely a nod to the former WWE International champion who once held the belt for 454 days but once he lost the belt, his career was in shambles.
However, former champion Michael Bisping is backing Volkanovski at UFC 314. On his YouTube channel, he said, “Do not let recency bias fool you. Yes, of course, in fight sports, you’re only as good as your last fight. And the last few fights for Volkanovski haven’t gone his way, but he’s still that guy.”
With so many mixed verdicts from the MMA community, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Volkanovski silence the doubters and reclaim his place at the top, or will Diego Lopes seize the moment and begin a new era?
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