Can Alexander Volkanovski defy the odds and become the only fighter over the age of 35 to win a title at 145 pounds? He’ll have to beat 30 year old Diego Lopes to do it.
The only two fighters at Volk’s age to win titles are Belal Muhammad and Tyron Woodley. No one has done it under 170 pounds. But if anyone can do it, it’s Volkanovski. The gritty Australian defended his title five times, and it could be argued that he’d never have dropped the title if he hadn’t gotten distracted by attempts to win the lightweight belt too.
But it just might be Diego Lopes’ time. Lopes looked spectacular at UFC 306 when he beat the brakes off Brian Ortega for three rounds. That performance started with a near-KO early in the fight that “T-City” never recovered from. Can he do the same to Volkanovski, who’s been finished in his last two fights?
Live updates will begin to flow below the moment the two fighters make their way to the Octagon …
Lopes is pumped up as he walks to the cage. He high fives fans in the crowd and gets a quick dance to his techno entrance song out before hugging his team. Expression-wise he’s serious and focused but looks loose and confident.
Volk comes out grooving to Men At Work’s Land Down Under, Australian flag in tow. He’s high fiving the crowd, but he’s got a serious look on his face.
ROUND 1
A minute of feeling out starts the fight as Lopes waits to see what Volk throws. Volk throws, Lopes counters solidly with an uppercut. They clash and Lopes unloads with punches to the /ribs. Volk steps in and unloads a big overhand that connects. Volk steps in and attacks, Lopes tries to counter but Volk is faster and more accurate, catching Lopes with hard shots. If Lopes’ plan is to counter, it’s not working. Volk is too fast.
Volk grapples Lopes with a minute left, pushing him into the cage and hitting him with knees on the fence. Volk gets Lopes’ back standing and catches him with some punches before tripping him to the ground and unloading some ground and pound. Lopes throws his legs up but Volk stays right in there fearlessly, throwing.
10-9 Volkanovski
ROUND 2
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