‘I love youse all’: Vintage Volkanovski silences the critics with emotional UFC 314 title fight win
Alex Volkanovski has wound back the clock to silence his critics and reclaim the featherweight title, in an emotional five round epic over Diego Lopez.
UFC
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From Wollongong to the world title – again.
Alex Volkanovski brushed off the pressure of fighting to save his career, while silencing the doubters and reclaiming his featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over young lion Diego Lopes at UFC 314.
With US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk sitting cageside, Volkanovski wound back the clock with a vintage performance in his 10th straight world title fight, claiming the win with scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46.
The Shellharbour local didn’t come through unscathed, but walked out of the Octagon victorious for the first time since July 2023.
Taking a leaf out of the playbook of another multiple time Aussie world champion, Jeff Fenech, Volkanovski dedicated the win to his fans and daughters back home.
“I love youse all! I really appreciate yas,” he said moments after the emotional victory. “Oh, man, it’s good to be back. I’ve never felt the love so much.
“I was saying all week, I promised my girls I’ll bring the belt back to them. Then I thought it doesn’t matter about the belt.
“A lot of people counted me out. I was coming off two knockout losses, (I’m) 36 years old, had a big break, came back and beat a gun like Diego Lopes.
“It’s good to be back. This moment is incredible.”
Volk had earlier received messages of support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, and scored the win with Trump and a large portion of his cabinet sitting just metres away.
“You get adversity, and if you build yourself back, it’s only gonna make you stronger,” he said. “Even if it doesn’t work out – but a lot of times is does if you really pursue it.
“Look what can happen. This is the shit people are gonna write books about, and make movies. That type of shit.”
48-47, 49-46, 49-46 #UFC314
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 13, 2025
Alex Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes by unanimous decision! pic.twitter.com/6kY9vziQRS
Having not stepped into the Octagon since his second straight knockout loss in February last year, there were serious questions hanging over his head – and his chin.
But he answered everything Lopes threw at him with interest.
Walking out to Men at Work’s ‘Land Down Under’, Volk kissed his wife, Emma, and hugged his dad on the way to the cage, before getting into his own work.
A left hook stunned Lopes three minutes into the first round as the crowd burst into a chant of “Let’s Go Volk”.
The Aussie initiated the first grappling exchange with a minute left in the first, getting the takedown and unloading with some good ground and pound in a dominating opening frame.
Already bruised and bleeding, Lopes pushed the pace in the second, but Volk was first to the punch each time.
It would have been another one-sided round but the Brazilian dropped Volk with a desperate right hand with just seconds remaining.
Volkanovski emerged from the second with a cut over his right eye, which his corner did well to fix in the between rounds.
Having avoided a scare in the second, Volkanovski stayed at range in the third, clipping Lopes with a good left hook.
Lopes had never been in a five-round fight, and tried to turn it into a street fight.
The fourth was the 30-year-old’s best round, catching Volkanovski in a fiery exchange and injuring his eye.
Lopes went on the attack as Volkanovski fought for survival, both eyes busted up and bleeding and in the biggest danger of the whole fight.
A replay showed Lopes’ glove slid across Volkanovski’s left eye after just missing with a jab. A right uppercut then did the damage.
Lopes pressured in the closing round, but Volkanovski’s footwork kept him out of danger as they traded until the final siren in what will be one of the fights of the year.
Volkanovski and Lopes shared a hug before the Brazilian walked out of the cage, with Volk telling him: “Nothing but respect, you’ll be back.”
There will be no shortage of challengers lining up for the next shot at the title.
Jean Silva and Yair Rodriguez both scored big wins on the same card, while Movsar Evloev is also in the mix.
Originally published as ‘I love youse all’: Vintage Volkanovski silences the critics with emotional UFC 314 title fight win
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