Alexander Volkanovski recalled the ultimate fighting championship (UFC) in the spring weight after he had defeated Diego Lopes by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in Miami, where the US President of the United States, Donald Trump, was present.
Two judges scored the fight between 49 and 46 and the third had 48-47 when the Australian Mixed Martial Arts Fighter won the title early Sunday.
Volkanovski (27-4) had successfully defended his belt four times before he had lost against Israel Makhachev on February 11, 2023.
“It’s good to be back,” said Volkanovski after the victory.
As for Lopes, he gave the champion his full respect, but wanted the crowd to know that this was not the end of the trip.
“It was an honor to share the Oktagon with Alexander Volkanovski,” said Lopes. “I’ll be back.”
Trump, a long -time friend of the UFC President and CEO Dana White and a fan of sport, watched the front row.
The basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal approached Trump and shook his hand. The cabinet officers Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy JR were also present, as well as owners and advisors of the White House, Elon Musk.
Volkanovski dominated the first three rounds, although in the second time she was cut under his right eye and cut by a laat. But Lopes’ glove caught Volkanovski’s other eye in the fourth round and then did not fall away.
That set up the fifth round, and apart from a knockout, Volkanovski appeared on the way to victory, although Lopes spent a large part of the fight, challenged him orally and invited him to the box. On the contrary, Volkanovski was the attacker.
Volkanovski had hoped to get another shot in Ilia Topuria and to avenge his loss of UFC 298 more than a year ago. But Topuria went to the lightweight department and released the class in spring weight.
In Stepped Lopes, the third -party challenger to take over Volkanovski.
This was the 10th title fight in a row for the 36-year-old, with highest rank, Volkanovski, the best populated competitor. The 30 -year -old Lopes was in his first title fight.
Volkanovski ended the five games winning streak from Lopes.
Volkanovski had many reasons to get to work. He took a longer release after he lost to Topuria in February 2024. In addition, he made three of his last four fights, including the last two games.
All four fights occurred in less than a year, so it was much quieter.
At the CO-Main event, the light competitor Paddy Pimblett continued this increase with a technical knockout from Michael Chandler after three minutes and seven seconds in the third round. Plimbett, a 30-year-old from Liverpool, Great Britain, has won all seven of his fights since moving to the organization and gave him a total of 23: 3 record.
“I want this world championship title,” said Pimblett. “Some say I will never be a champion, I will never run, I will never be in the top 10. But what now?”
At almost 39, Chandler has to make some decisions after winning only two of his last seven fights. He is 23-10.
Bryce Mitchell in a spring weight, who fought Adolf Hitler for the first time since the praise and refused the Holocaust in a podcast, was also on the menu. Later he withdrew his comments, and although Weiß Mitchell criticized greatly, he did not discipline him.
Mitchell was little play for Jean Silva in her struggle in feather weight. Silva won with a guillotine choke with one minute in the second round.
