Alexander Volkanovski is already looking forward to his second reign as featherweight champion.
‘The Nice’ hasn’t fought since dropping the 145lb belt in a brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February 2024.
Since then, ‘El Matador’ has relinquished his title, introduced a transfer to light-weight, and teased big fight news.
Alexander Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight belt at UFC 314 on April 12
- READ MORE: Alexander Volkanovski makes bold prediction ahead of Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313
Alexander Volkanovski provided $1 million guess
On Friday, Volkanovski and Lopes got here face-to-face for the primary time at a UFC 314 press convention.
Undercard fighters Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva somewhat stole the show by beefing onstage in Las Vegas.
Nonetheless, Volkanovski had his moments as he sung to Lopes earlier than seemingly establishing his subsequent battle.
Former two-weight Bellator champion Patricio Freire is ready to make his firm debut at UFC 314.
‘Pitbull’ made his presence felt on the occasion by reminding Volkanovski of a $1 million proposal he beforehand made.
“Hear, once I was in one other group, I made a guess with Volkanovski,” Freire stated in Portuguese.
“I stated, ‘A million bucks in case you or I win’.
“I do know we’ve obtained fights developing, however possibly down the road you wanna hold that guess open?”
Volkanovski didn’t reply to the $1 million provide, however he welcomed a future battle with ‘Pitbull’.
“Should you placed on an excellent efficiency,” the Aussie fan favourite responded.
“Like I stated, I’m anticipating to defend my belt a few instances this yr.
“Should you do an excellent job, I’ll see you then.”
Patricio Pitbull proposes a $1 million guess to Alexander Volkanovski 🤑
🗣️ Volkanovski: “I am anticipating to defend my belt a few instances this yr. You do an excellent job, I am going to see you there.” 👀🔥
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 7, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski predicts UFC 313 primary occasion
On Saturday night time, Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev will battle for gentle heavyweight gold.
Israel Adesanya has publicly backed his long-time rival to knock Ankalaev out at UFC 313.
Volkanovski has also shared his thoughts on the most important UFC battle of the yr to date.
“[Alex Pereira’s] very harmful as a result of he places the stress on and he can flick stuff out untelegraphed and set issues up offensively after which on the counter, very, very, excellent on the counter,” he stated on his YouTube channel.
“Onerous, arduous battle for Ankalaev to remain on the toes. [Ankalaev’s] gonna wanna take it down, he’ll attempt to take it down, he would possibly get takedowns
“I don’t see him having the ability to submit Pereira except Pereira offers one thing up in his course of to increase
“I’m gonna go along with a favourite on this one, Alex Pereira, KO. I’m gonna go along with KO/TKO. I believe with him, it’s at all times a fairly secure guess… I don’t suppose it’s gonna be early rounds. I’m pondering possibly second or third spherical TKO.”
