Alexander Volkanovski is once again the undisputed king of the featherweight division.
Despite being 36 years old and coming off two consecutive losses, Volkanovski showcased his resilience and skill, securing a decisive victory over Diego Lopes to claim the vacant 145-pound title. Volkanovski had previously lost the belt to Ilia Topuria in a knockout defeat in February 2024. However, with Topuria moving up to the lightweight division, the featherweight championship became available.
Volkanovski delivered a dominant performance, outperforming the younger Lopes throughout all five rounds. He overcame a tense moment at the end of Round 2 to win by unanimous decision. Two judges scored the bout 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.
The MMA community reacted with excitement to Volkanovski`s triumphant return. Aljamain Sterling exclaimed, “The king is back!”
Fighters widely praised both Volkanovski and Lopes, acknowledging their skill and sportsmanship.
