“It’s good to be back!”
Those were the first words from Alexander Volkanovski after he made history by bouncing back from two knockout losses to recapture the undisputed UFC featherweight title at UFC 314.
Volkanovski outworked Brazilian challenger Diego Lopes over five rounds to win back the vacant featherweight crown after a brilliant return to form at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Alexander Volkanovski (@AlexVolkanovski) is the second featherweight in UFC history to re-capture the undisputed UFC title (Aldo).
Volkanovski has the second most title fight wins in featherweight history with 7 (Aldo, 8).#UFC314
— UFC News (@UFCNews) April 13, 2025
Volkanovski started quickly and immediately settled into the familiar rhythm we’ve seen from him during his first championship reign as he put Lopes on the back foot from the opening exchange. And, as the first two rounds played out, the Australian largely kept him there, as he mixed up his strikes while remaining elusive.
Lopes looked a touch frozen by the big occasion through the early portion of the fight, with the Brazilian a little guilty of waiting too much for openings, rather than adopting the aggressive, pace-pushing approach that helped surge him into championship contention.
There was a brief opening for Lopes at the end of the second round as he drew Volkanovski into a close-quarters exchange and dropped the Australian with a big punch that briefly had the former champion in trouble, but time expired before Lopes had any chance to follow-up and take advantage.
Volkanovski settled back into his work in Round 3, but had to battle through adversity in the fourth, when a Lopes uppercut landed squarely on his left eye and appeared to temporarily blind him.
But, despite Volkanovski being compromised, the Brazilian failed to capitalise as the Aussie kept him at bay to survive the round.
#UFC314 Official Scorecard: Alexander Volkanovski (@AlexVolkanovski) vs Diego Lopes
Complete Scorecards ➡️: https://t.co/TdPj3wnJ2D pic.twitter.com/dv9SWPZW9P
— UFC News (@UFCNews) April 13, 2025
And, with Lopes needing a finish in the final round to turn things around, Volkanovski dominated the final frame to underscore his championship class.
When the scorecards were gathered, Volkanovski’s unanimous decision win was confirmed, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 49-46, 49-46 to return to the featherweight summit once again.
UFC 314: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) – for vacant featherweight title
- Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO (ground strikes) – Round 3, 3:07
- Yair Rodriguez def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via submission (ninja choke) – Round 2, 3:52
- Dominick Reyes def. NIkita Krylov via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:24
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Dan Ige def. Sean Woodson via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:12
- Virna Jandiroba def. Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:15
EARLY PRELIMS
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Sedriques Dumas via TKO (punches and elbows) – Round 1, 2:49
- Su Mudaerji def. Mitch Raposo via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marco Tulio def. Tresean Gore via TKO (punch) – Round 2, 3:16
- Nora Cornolle def. Hailey Cowan via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:52
