Championship bouts are nothing new for Alexander Volkanovski, and on Sunday morning at UFC 314, he reminded fans why he’s long been a dominant force in the featherweight division. Facing Diego Lopes in what was his 10th consecutive title fight, Volkanovski snapped a recent slump by earning a unanimous decision victory. Judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in his favor.
“It’s good to be back,” Volkanovski said after the fight. “I promised my girls I’d bring the belt home. It’s not just about the belt — it’s about proving people wrong.”
Volkanovski (27-4) had previously defended his featherweight title four times before making a move to lightweight, where he lost to Islam Makhachev in February 2023. Though he returned to reclaim his featherweight title against Yair Rodriguez five months later, back-to-back losses followed. Now, with a refreshed mindset and renewed focus, he’s champion again.
The fight night drew plenty of star power. Former President Donald Trump watched cageside alongside longtime UFC ally Dana White. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal stopped to shake Trump’s hand, while political figures like Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were also spotted in the crowd. Elon Musk, now a White House adviser and owner of X (formerly Twitter), attended as well.
In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett continued his undefeated UFC run with an impressive TKO victory over Michael Chandler at 3:07 of round three. The 30-year-old from Liverpool improved his record to 23-3, going 7-0 since joining the UFC.
“I want that world title,” Pimblett declared. “People said I’d never make it to the top 10, never be champ. Well, what now?”
Chandler, approaching 39, has now lost five of his last seven fights, putting his future in question. His overall record sits at 23-10.
Elsewhere on the card, featherweight Bryce Mitchell returned to action after sparking controversy with offensive comments on a podcast, including praise for Adolf Hitler and Holocaust denial. Although he later walked back his remarks, UFC President Dana White publicly criticized him but did not take disciplinary action. In the Octagon, Mitchell was overwhelmed by Jean Silva, who secured a submission victory via guillotine choke with just over a minute left in the second round.
Back in the main event, Volkanovski showed resilience throughout. Despite being cut below his right eye and knocked down in the second round, he controlled much of the fight’s pace early. Lopes found a surge in the fourth after catching Volkanovski in the other eye, but couldn’t capitalize. Even as Lopes taunted and urged Volkanovski to trade strikes, the Aussie stayed focused and aggressive.
Volkanovski had hoped for a rematch with Ilia Topuria, who defeated him at UFC 298 over a year ago. However, with Topuria now moving to the lightweight division, the featherweight crown was left for Volkanovski to reclaim — this time against third-ranked Lopes.
Lopes, 30, entered his first title fight on a five-fight win streak and with high hopes. After the loss, he remained optimistic. “Maybe I fell short technically,” Lopes said through a translator. “But I’ll be back. I’ve only been here two years. I’ll train harder and improve.”
Coming in as a -160 favorite, Volkanovski said he made significant changes in his preparation, starting camp early, improving his diet and recovery routines, and coming into the fight in peak physical condition. Following a busy year that saw him fight four times in less than 12 months, he also benefited from taking a longer break before this bout — and it showed.
