Alexander Volkanovski has been backed to become a two-time champion at UFC 314.
The former pound-for-pound number one hasn’t fought since being brutally knocked out by Ilia Topuria, who took his featherweight title at UFC 298 in February 2024.
Ilia Topuria followed up that win by becoming the first man to KO Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October.
The man who recently changed his nickname to ‘La Leyenda’ – ‘The Legend’ – has now relinquished the 145lb belt, which will be on the line when Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes headline UFC 314 in Miami on Saturday night.
Robert Whittaker shares UFC 314 main event prediction
At 36 years old, Volkanovski is being written off as ‘past it’ by some people before his fight with Lopes.
Back-to-back knockout losses leave the Australian’s career in a perilous position ahead of UFC 314.
Still, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes his compatriot will become a champion again this weekend.
‘The Reaper’ has even mapped out the game plan he expects Volkanovski to employ against Lopes.
“I see Volk going in there, using full skill sets, landing shots, going for takedowns, wearing Diego Lopes down, riding him for five rounds, and winning a decision. Or by getting him out of there in the later end of the rounds,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade podcast.
He added: “I can see him chopping that calf, doing his step-through left hand. I can see him pushing Diego backwards, dropping for doubles against the fence.
“He stopped using it as much once he was champ, except for against people like Yair [Rodriguez], he was bullying him with it. But he wrestled a lot in the beginning of his career and utilized it to great effect.
“I reckon we see a well-rounded, Volk top-tier skill set, and we have another champ in Australia.”
What’s next for Robert Whittaker?
Whittaker hasn’t fought since Khamzat Chimaev caved in his teeth with a rear-naked choke at UFC 308.
Top middleweight contender Roman Dolidze called him out after outpointing Marvin Vettori last month.
“I’m trying to fight a top-five guy, dude,” Whittaker responded.
“Join the queue. I wanna fight Sean [Strickland]. International Fight Week.”
UFC 317 will headline the promotion’s 13th annual International Fight Week this coming June.
It’s currently unclear if June works for Strickland, as the former middleweight champion is currently healing up after getting his nose obliterated during a five-round decision defeat against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 in February.
