Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his UFC featherweight title earlier this month by defeating Diego Lopes in their UFC 325 rematch. This convincing win over Lopes allowed Volkanovski to maintain his position as champion, and he is now expected to face the winner of the upcoming Lerone Murphy vs. Movsar Evloev bout at UFC London. The rematch left many fans frustrated as Lopes struggled to adapt and failed to pose a serious threat to Volkanovski, despite having already faced him once before.
Insight into Lopes’ Lack of Adjustments During the Fight
Volkanovski reflected on Lopes’ performance and the absence of strategic improvements in their recent fight during a conversation with Demetrious Johnson on YouTube. He pointed out that Lopes’ team should have focused on cutting off the octagon more effectively to limit Volkanovski’s movement. Volkanovski explained that he expected Lopes to at least attempt cutting him off, but the reality was different. He said,
“During camp, we were thinking surely his team were gonna be like, ‘Oh, we need to learn to cut off. We’re gonna cut him off going this way.’ He has to at least do that, right?”
The champion also noted the complexity involved in cutting off an opponent correctly. He described how cutting off the cage the wrong way can create openings for counterattacks.
“Like if he cuts off too close, I can just run him into big shots. Let’s see what he does anyway. But obviously, we’re prepared to go the other way. We’ll be prepared to go both ways if we have to. I wasn’t thinking that I’d be able to go one way the whole time. I thought he would do a better job of, no matter which way I went, probably, eventually cutting me off.”
Volkanovski Details How He Controlled the Fight
Volkanovski admitted he did not feel forced to take many risks during the fight. By continuously maneuvering around Lopes, he waited for his opponent to make a move, then capitalized on mistakes.
“I didn’t have to take too much risks,”
Volkanovski said.
“I would just keep turning until he wanted to do something, and I’d make him pay.”
He emphasized that Lopes showed some skills but lacked enough fight IQ and footwork for a swift turnaround between bouts.
“He’s good, but maybe he just needs that little bit more IQ or footwork, and get a better understanding. That’s why that quick turnaround, it was always going to be difficult for him. That’s why when people were like, ‘Oh, he’s going to cut off.’ Yeah, but is he going to do it properly?”
Implications for Future Featherweight Title Contention
Volkanovski’s victory and analysis of Lopes’ shortcomings indicate the importance of strategic adjustments and preparation, especially following close defeats. With UFC featherweight contenders like Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev set to clash next, Volkanovski is likely to face a challenger more prepared to counter his movement and tactics. The fight showcased the significance of fight IQ and adaptability, factors that will shape upcoming title defenses and determine the future landscape of the featherweight division.
