Alexander Volkanovski has admitted that his second stint as UFC champion feels a little bit sweeter than his first.
Volkanovski was deservedly awarded a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 this past weekend after a five-round brawl.
He subsequently became the UFC featherweight champion for the second time, having previously held the 145-pound title for four years from 2019.
Volkanovski defeated Max Holloway to win the belt at UFC 245 in December 2019 and defended the belt four times before dropping it belt to Ilia Topuria last year.
The 36-year-old Australian had suffered consecutive knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Topuria heading into UFC 314, and cited proving his doubters wrong as one of the main reasons why his second title run ‘means more’.
“Yeah, it does. It does, for sure,” Volkanovski told the TMZ Sports TV Show, less than 48 hours after his victory.
“Because while you’re going through the process, you’re just training and that’s all you know.
“I didn’t have an understanding of this sort of situation, and then to bounce back at an age where everyone’s counting you out, and rightfully so..
“These people didn’t just say I’ve got a chip on my shoulder because they’re counting me out. They have every right to think that.”
Volkanovski was knocked down in the last few seconds of his war with Lopes, but fought back with heart and determination to outclass his Brazilian opponent until the final bell.
The fight was so brutal that Volkanovski lost vision in his eye at one point, and doctors said it looked as if he’d just been through a bare-knuckle fight when going through his post-fight medical examinations.
But it was worth it for ‘The Great’, who proved adversity can be used as a tool for success.
Volkanovski said it was an ‘incredible feeling’ to bounce back after people counted him outGetty“I said this all week, ‘You guys have every right to count me out. I’m turning 37 soon. I’m 36, no one’s won a title in our divisions over 35. I’m coming off two knockout losses’,” Volkanovski added.
“People know that knockout losses can mess with your confidence, and then you’ve got to battle with trying to not make that a thing. All that type of stuff.
“There’s so much that goes into it, and to be able to be successful after it all is pretty incredible, especially when you’re up against a tough, young guy like Lopes.
“The questions were answered. It’s a pretty incredible feeling. I just can’t wait to get back home and celebrate with the family and properly soak it up.”
Volkanovski became the first male fighter over the age of 35 to win UFC gold in the promotion’s weight classes below welterweight after his win.
He is also now just one victory away from matching Jose Aldo‘s record of eight title wins in the featherweight division.
Volkanovski is one title win away from matching Jose Aldo’s recordGetty He asserted that adversity was a privilege after being forced to overcome exactly that against LopesGettyThe Australian was widely viewed as one of the best of all time at 145lbs, even before his second title win.
Volkanovski sent a powerful message to the crowd in attendance at the Kaseya Center in Miami after his triumph.
“I’ve never felt the love so much. I was saying all week, even to the camera before I walked out, I said, ‘I promise my girls I’ll bring the belt back,” he told Joe Rogan.
“But then I was thinking, ‘It doesn’t matter about bringing the belt back’ …
“Adversity is a privilege, you hear people talking about it all the time. It truly is. This moment is incredible.”
Volkanovski and Lopes were both awarded with $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses at UFC 314, which also witnessed Paddy Pimblett edge closer to his title dreams with a dominant victory over Michael Chandler.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘An incredible feeling’ – Alexander Volkanovski explains why second title run betters Max Holloway win after UFC 314 )
Also on site :
- I’m the Boston Celtics legend who has a perfect 6-0 record vs Michael Jordan in the playoffs and was the one NBA star that MJ couldn’t beat
- Here’s How to Pray the Official Novena to Soon-to-Be Saint Carlo Acutis
- Galeton Elementary could reopen next week; residents to return home on ‘case-by-case basis’