Alexander Volkanovsky took the featherweight title on Saturday night, winning Diego Lopez at the UFC 314 headliner.
It was a big first round from Volkanovski. He splits the rope with his vicious left hand that Lopez stumbled towards the wall of the cage. “Great” used it as an opportunity to close the distance and muscle rope on the mat. Volkanovski finished a round of dropping a nasty ground and pound shot.
Chaos continued in the second stanza, with both fighters shaking. Volkanovski caught Lopez early in the round, sending another large left wing with another big left wing stumbling towards the wall of the cage. However, with 10 seconds left in the round, Lopez landed a brutal right hand, which caused Volkanovsky to crash onto the canvas.
Volkanovski jumped out quickly and avoided dealing any further damage before the horns in the second round sounded.
The third was far more competitive, but Volkanovski appears to have a great exchange and could potentially go 3-0 in the championship round.
Things made a particularly crazy turn in the fourth round when Lopez landed an uppercut that caught Volkanovsky’s eye. As Lopez moved desperately in search of a home run shot, Volkanovsky desperately retreated. Volkanovski eventually made it out of the round and revealed to his corner that his eyesight had been compromised for the blow.
Interestingly, Volkanovski appeared to stab Lopes in his eyes during the fifth exchange, but Judge Marc Goddard continued his fight and called it a legal strike. However, the commentators made it clear through instant replay that it was actually an eye-punching and not a punch.
As time was ticking, Lopez called for the two to stand in trade with the Central. Volkanovski was mandated and landed another big right hand. Lopez tried to respond, but the clock ran out before connecting.
Official Results:Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes will win the vacant UFC Featherweight World Championship via unanimous decisions (48-47, 49-46, 48-47).