Robert Whittaker is confident that Alexander Volkanovski still has what it takes to be a champion.
Volkanovski will compete for the vacant featherweight title against Diego Lopes this Saturday at UFC 314. The title became available after Ilia Topuria moved to the lightweight division. Despite recent knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, Volkanovski gets a quick opportunity to fight for the belt again.
Although Volkanovski is 36 and past his prime, Whittaker believes the Australian fighter is still capable of reclaiming his position as the best featherweight.
“Volk has elite skills,” Whittaker stated on his MMArcade Podcast. “I envision him using calf kicks and his signature step-through left hand. I expect him to pressure Diego, and utilize takedowns against the fence. He used wrestling less as champion, except against fighters like Yair Rodriguez, but it was a key part of his early career success. I anticipate seeing a well-rounded Volk with top-tier skills, and potentially another Australian champion.”
Before his loss to Topuria, Volkanovski had never lost at featherweight. However, his resilience has been questioned after being knocked out by Makhachev with a head kick and then by Topuria just four months later.
The loss to Topuria was particularly surprising given Volkanovski’s reputation for toughness and his dominant reign as featherweight champion. Volkanovski won the title against Max Holloway at UFC 245 and defended it five times, including two rematches with Holloway.
Whittaker has witnessed Volkanovski`s abilities many times and is not ready to dismiss him.
“The big question is which Volkanovski will we see at UFC 314?” Whittaker pondered. “People are focused on his knockouts against Makhachev and Topuria, his age, and as is typical in MMA, some fans quickly wrote him off after his losses, which is absurd. MMA fans can be both the best and worst.”
“The reality is he has been inactive recently and is coming off two consecutive losses to Makhachev and Topuria, both by knockout. His age is also a factor. So, the question remains: which Volkanovski will show up at UFC 314?”
Whittaker added, “Diego is currently very dangerous. I believe the best version of Volkanovski can defeat Diego Lopes. Volk’s skills, composure, toughness, fight IQ, and octagon presence are unmatched. But considering all factors, we need to see which version of Volk will compete.”
Lopes is on a five-fight winning streak since losing his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev in 2023. He recently defeated former title challenger Brian Ortega, but is still considered the underdog against Volkanovski.
Whittaker believes Volkanovski will win by decision. He predicts Bruce Buffer will announce “And Again” for Volkanovski.
“I see Volk using his complete skillset, landing strikes, attempting takedowns, and wearing Diego Lopes down over five rounds to win by decision,” Whittaker concluded. “Or possibly finishing him in the later rounds.”