Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopez Was a Movie

April 2025, UFC 314 in Miami. Alexander Volkanovski had not fought in fourteen months after back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, the first losing streak of his career. Diego Lopes was riding a five-fight win streak and the betting favourite to knock him off again. Volkanovski shut it down from the opening bell, rocking Lopes with an overhand right and left hook combination and dominating the grappling exchanges. Lopes found a big right hand in round four that clearly troubled him, and Volkanovski admitted afterward he was still unsure of his eyesight heading into the fifth. He did just enough, winning 49-46, 49-46, 48-47. It made him a two-time featherweight champion and the first fighter under 155 pounds to win a UFC title over the age of 35. Paddy Pimblett stole headlines that same night with a TKO of Michael Chandler, but Volkanovski’s comeback answered every question about whether his prime was over.