Alexander Volkanovski has once again established himself as the king of the featherweight division.
Despite being 36 years old and coming off two consecutive losses, Volkanovski demonstrated his enduring skill and determination by securing a convincing victory over Diego Lopes. This win earned him the vacant 145-pound title. Volkanovski previously lost the belt to Ilia Topuria via knockout in February 2024, but with Topuria moving to the lightweight division, the featherweight championship became available again.
Volkanovski lived up to expectations, outperforming the younger Lopes throughout the five rounds. He withstood a late surge from Lopes in Round 2 and ultimately won by decision. Two judges scored the fight 49-46 in favor of “The Great.” This victory marks Volkanovski`s first win since his successful title defense against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July 2023.
Many fighters expressed their excitement and admiration for Volkanovski`s impressive performance. Aljamain Sterling, among others, declared, “The king is back!”
The reactions on social media highlight the respect earned by both Volkanovski and Lopes from their fellow fighters.
