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Alexander Volkanovski Breaks Two Curses with UFC 314 Result vs. Diego Lopes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 2:20 AM ET

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski made history at UFC 314 by reclaiming the title after beating Diego Lopes in Saturday's main event.

In doing so, according to ESPN, Volkanovski became the first male fighter age 35 or older to win a UFC championship at any weight class below welterweight.

The 36-year-old Australian defeated Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-47, 49-47) in a brutal five-round bout in Miami.

The win marked Volkanovski’s 10th UFC title fight and ended a turbulent stretch that included back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 and Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.

Alexander Volkanovski is the first male fighter age 35 or older to win a UFC title fight at any weight class below welterweight

VOLK IS NOT TOO OLD #UFC314 pic.twitter.com/rK7d7gW8mB
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 13, 2025

“It’s good to be back,” Volkanovski said during the post-fight interview. “A lot of people counted me out, the 35-year-old curse and a big break. To come back and beat a gun like Diego Lopes.

"It’s good to be back. Adversity is a privilege.”

Volkanovski was referencing the alleged "curse" in which fighters aged 35 and over (in men's divisions below middleweight) have a record of 2-23 in title fights (including interim) in UFC history.

On Saturday, Volkanovski started strong, dominating the early rounds and landing clean shots, but Lopes fought back hard and opened multiple cuts under the Aussie’s eyes that hampered his vision.

Despite the damage, Volkanovski remained composed and outworked Lopes with consistent strikes and cage control.

Volkanovski also outlasted the “Drake curse,” as the rapper had wagered $545,000 on the Aussie to win, hinting at the opposite happening, as is usually the case.

Volkanovski improved to 14–3 in the UFC following Saturday's result and begins a second reign atop the featherweight division.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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