UFC 314: Alexander Volkanovski aims to clean out Featherweight division in 2025

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 17, 2025, 23:02 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Alexander Volkanovski plans a major comeback at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, where he faces Diego Lopes for the Featherweight title. He aims to fight Movsar Evloev and Patricio Pitbull by the end of the year. Volkanovski is determined to stay active and dominant in the Featherweight division in 2025.

UFC 314: Alexander Volkanovski aims to clean out Featherweight division in 2025

Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images

Alexander Volkanovski has never been one to sit on the sidelines, and after a rocky stretch in his career, he’s ready to remind the world why he was once considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. The former Featherweight champion returns to action at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, to face Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title, but he’s not stopping there. If he gets past Lopes, “The Great�?wants to stay as active as possible, taking on Movsar Evloev and potentially Patricio Pitbull before the year is over. After suffering back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, Volkanovski took time to recover, both physically and mentally. Now, he’s determined to not only reclaim gold but also clean out the division once again.

Alexander Volkanovski’s plan: Three title fights in one year?

Alexander Volkanovskiis well aware of the doubters after his recent setbacks, but he’s eager to prove that he’s still the man to beat at 145 pounds. With his comeback fight against Lopes just around the corner, Volk made his intentions crystal clear in an interview with TNT Sports.
“I wanna be active, I talk about being active,�?Volkanovski said. “[Patricio Pitbull] puts on a performance and the UFC want it, I want to be active. So, whether it’s Lopes, Movsar [Evloev], then [Pitbull] straight away? I want do that all in one year. I’m happy to fight three times this year. I can keep them all busy and give them all what they want."

Volk’s desire to keep the Featherweight division moving is great news for hungry contenders like Evloev, who is riding high after a win over former Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in December 2024. Meanwhile, Pitbull will be looking to make his case for a title shot when he faces Yair Rodriguez on the UFC 314 prelims.
“They all want a title shot?�?Volkanovski added. “The beauty of having me a champion again, they can all have their title fight [in] their next fight. No one has to wait around. No one has to have any other fights. I’ll keep yous busy.�?br/>Also Read: 5 Richest Female UFC Fighters: Ronda Rousey, Amanda Nunes & More

Can Alexander Volkanovski become ‘The Greatest�?in 2025?

If Volkanovski pulls off his ambitious plan—winning three title fights in a year—there will be little doubt about his legacy. He’s already proven his dominance once before, and now he’s out to do it again. If everything goes his way, “The Great�?might just have to upgrade his nickname to “The Greatest.�?br/>

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article