Morning Report: Robert Whitaker breaks down how Alexander Volkanovsky becomes champion again in UFC 314

Robert Whitaker believes that Alexander Volkanovsky’s era of championships is never over.

Volkanovski will have the opportunity to regain his featherweight title this Saturday when he fights Diego Lopes for his vacant belt and Diego Lopes at UFC 314.

At 36, Volkanovski is no longer in his prime, but Whittaker is sure his fellow Australians have enough left to regain his place above the featherweight division.

“The top tier of Volk’s skill set,” Whittaker told him. Marcade Podcasts. “I can see him chopping that calf and stopping his left hand, and he can see him pushing Diego back and dropping a double against the fence.

Before losing to Topuria, Volkanovski was never defeated in a 145 pound contest. However, his durability was questioned after Makhachev cooled him down just four months after he put him on the floor with a head kick.

The results of Topuria were particularly shocking given Volkanovski’s legendary durability and his incredible running as a featherweight champion. Volkanovski defeated Max Holloway to win the title at UFC 245, defending for the fifth straight time, including two rematches with Holloway.

Whitaker has seen him again and again at his best.

“I think the million dollar question is what we’re going to see in the Octagon that night and come to UFC 314,” Whitaker said. “Everyone has already returned to his loss to Makhachev, his knockout, and then to his age to knockout with Topulia. As MMA fans wanted to do, as soon as he lost, he began calling his age the one he started throwing and washing.

“The truth is that he has been out for a while. He has been out of two losses in a row, Makhachev and Topulia, the last couple. His age is a factor in this.

“Diego is now in a very dangerous form,” Whitaker added. “I think “Makachev 1 Volk” defeated Diego Lopez. Bolk’s skill set and his calmness, his toughness, grit, his fighting IQ, and fighting ability in the Octagon are no match for anyone.

Lopez has won five consecutive wins since his thrilling short-notis debut defeat to Movsar Evloev in 2023. He has won two UFC title challenger Brian Ortega from a dominant victory, but is now a small underdog for Volkanovski.

That makes sense for Whittaker, who predicts that the match will move the distance, with Volkanovski being declared “and again” by Bruce Buffer.

“We see Volk using his full skill set, using landing shots, going for takedowns, wearing Diego Lopez, riding five rounds to make decisions, winning the decision,” Whitaker said. “Or by bringing him out of there later in the round.”

result. Lerone Murphy is a contestant for Josh Emmett and fires at the crowd of Rowdy after winning the UFC Vegas 105 main event.

It’s basically beautiful. Michael Chandler deals with previous misconduct accusations with UFC 314.

Showdown. Henry Sejude describes a crazy conflict with the man who crashed a car at home and assaulted his neighbor.

dream. Lerone Murphy wants to travel the same path as Diego Lopes and win a title shot.

Showboat. Javier Mendez says he showed off how to win Merab Dvalishvili’ against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

Show after the UFC Vegas 105 game.

MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chops it with Michael Chandler ahead of the pivotal battle with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314.

UFC 314 countdown.

Michael Bispin is looking forward to the biggest storyline of UFC 314.

To the next one. Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee from MMA Fighting make lemons from lemonade after a boring UFC Vegas 105 event. What’s next for the still undefeated Lerown Murphy, and what’s the funniest matchup for Torres Finney?

The winner writes history.

But respect.

Will Ortega answer Murphy’s callout?

Champion, champion is watching you.

Make this what you do.

fact.

Who will be next?

This is real training.

Arian da Silva (17-10) King Kong (7-1); UFC 316, June 7th

We created UFC Vegas 105 in one piece! We made it, although maybe a little less than before. UFC 314 buckle-up, fan fan, you deserve this.

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