'Legend': Alexander Volkanovski's historic UFC 314 win over Diego Lopes leaves MMA world blown away

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Alexander Volkanovski of Australia reacts after his unanimous-decision victory against Diego Lopes of Brazil in the UFC featherweight championship bout during the UFC 314 event at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Alexander Volkanovski is once again the UFC featherweight champion. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Jeff Bottari via Getty Images

Alexander Volkanovski is far from done. With a chance to make history, the living legend showed why he is one of the greatest talents of his era, turning in a vintage performance on Saturday at UFC 314 to kick off a second UFC featherweight title reign with a gritty decision win over Diego Lopes.

Volkanovski, 36, is now the first fighter under 155 pounds to capture a UFC belt over the age of 35. He's also just the second featherweight ever to reclaim the belt after losing it, joining fellow legend Jose Aldo.

In doing so, Volkanovski fended off any concerns that his time at the top had passed following back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski took a 14-month break after those setbacks — by far, the longest layoff of his nine-year UFC career — but the tactic paid off. 

See how Volkanovski's fellow UFC fighters reacted to his historic win at UFC 314 below.


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