In the lead-up to their UFC 298 title clash last year, Ilia Topuria boldly claimed that Alexander Volkanovski was too old to beat him. ‘El Matador’ was proven right as he became the first man to defeat the nigh unbeatable 36-year-old, securing a second-round knockout. Now, with Topuria moving up to lightweight, Volkanovski is set to face another rising star: the powerful Brazilian striker, Diego Lopes, at UFC 314 on April 12 for the vacant 145lbs title.
However, with Volkanovski’s recent record standing at 1-3 in his last four bouts, and coming off consecutive knockout losses, many are beginning to question whether his time at the top is coming to an end. Is ‘Old Man Volk’ really too ancient to reclaim the championship? UFC commentator and former champion Michael Bisping doesn’t think so.
“Do not let recency bias fool you. Yes, of course, in fight sports you’re only as good as your last fight. And the last few fights for Volkanovski haven’t gone his way, but he’s still that guy. He’s still got that dog in him. And I tell you what, he’s going to need it going up against Diego Lopes, and the best of luck to both men,” Bisping said in a recent video on his YouTube channel.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Ilia Topuria punches Alexander Volkanovski of Australia in their featherweight title fight during UFC 298 at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Volkanovski, of course, was unbeaten in the UFC and had already cleared out his division in February 2023, when he received his first UFC loss against lightweight champ Islam Makhachev at 155lbs. The Aussie stepped in on short notice at UFC 294 to rematch Makhachev, only to get stopped by a head kick by the Dagestani juggernaut.
The loss to Topuria followed four months later, which made the fans forget just how good ‘Volk’ was. And Bisping feels that Volkanovski may well prove his doubters wrong at UFC 314. However, it isn’t just the fans who, even Volkanovski himself has been suffering from self-doubt because of his recent string of losses.
Alexander Volkanovski opens up about self-doubt going into UFC 314 Diego Lopes clash
Speaking about his recent slide in form, Alexander Volkanovski told ESPN MMA in an interview that he did face uncomfortable questions about being washed up or over the hill. “You are going to ask yourself like, ‘All right, this is unfamiliar territory, an unfamiliar feeling. Have you lost it? What’s going on? You must not want it anymore,’” Volkanovski said.
However, the good-natured Aussie, who is the nicest, most polite guy you’ll ever meet, yet is an absolute killer in the Octagon, is sure he still has the killer instinct needed to beat the bar brawler, Lopes.
“No, not really. I remember that I have accepted that I’m having the break, but have you accepted that you’re done? ‘No, I haven’t. I’ll be back. I’ll flip the switch, but will you flip the switch?’ You know, you ask yourself these questions, but I always answer, ‘Relax, when the time comes, you will flip the switch. Don’t worry.’ But I guess you won’t know until you decide to do that,” he added. What do you think about Michael Bisping’s take on the narrative surrounding Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC 314?
The post “Still Got That Dog in Him” – Michael Bisping Challenges Narrative On Alexander Volkanovski Before His UFC 314 Return appeared first on EssentiallySports.
