Volkanovski back on top of a steep Featherweight mountain
Alexander Volkanovski is the Great and once again UFC Featherweight champion
For the first time a fighter over the age of thirty-five has won a UFC under 155 lbs. Saturday night in Miami Alexander Volkanovski became two time Featherweight world champion. A stiff jab, scintillating footwork, and a diverse attack paved the way to the unanimous decision.
A trip and heavy ground pound secured the first round for Volkanovski and told many pundits that his demise had been greatly exaggerated, grated Volkanovski was returning after two knockout losses. A left hook knocked Diego Lopes down in the second. The Brazilian survived and even tested the Australian’s toughness with a big right hand in the last thirty seconds to evens up the knock downs. Volkanovski’s varied attack would be crucial in the later rounds. While Lopes continued to look for one big shot, Volkanovski mixed in leg kicks, body kicks, and takedowns on top of his boxing. In the fourth a Lopes left hook skimmed across Volkanovski’s left eye and a follow up uppercut had Volkanovski firing back while in retreat. Weathering the storm Volkanovski came back to work out Lopes closing out the fifth strong.
A swollen up Lopes face and close right eye showing he was beaten at the game by a master who’s now record his 7th win in a UFC championship setting.
As for what’s next for the champion, earlier in the night he was called out by the winner of the featured fight Yair Rodriguez. The two have history. Rodriguez won the interim title while Volkanovski was pursuing two division champion status. Volkanovski won the title unification bout at UFC 290 by third round TKO.
Rodriguez made a strong case for a rematch at UFC 314 after winning a convincing unanimous decision over former Bellator Champion Patricio Freire. Rodriguez speed and length appeared to give Freire issues as Rodriguez land sharp jab-cross combinations and stuck in body kicks. A right hook knockdown in third sealing the decision.
Not to leave out the co-main event winner Paddy Pimblett who looks ready for a title eliminator after dispatching of Michael Chandler. Chandler started the fight well landing his strikes and taking the round on two judges cards. In the second Pimblett had found his opening and even put Chandler on back. A jump knee from Pimblett in the third busy Chandler open on his left cheek. Getting Chandler to the ground Pimblett hammered away to the finish. Pimblett has definitely earned a chance at the elite of the division.
The unbelievable finishes continue to pile up for Jean Silva. That’s now 5-0 in the UFC for “Lord” and good lord have they been some finishes. Silva nullified Bryce Mitchell’s takedown game and land heavy leather before Mitchell determination for a takedown led to him getting rendered unconscious from a ninja choke. The their submission win of Silva’s career and win that should see him enter the top 15.
The career resurgence continues for Dominick Reyes who won his third in a row clobbering Nikita Krylov with a counter left hook.
Dan Ige defended his spot in the rankings, stopping Sean Woodson in somewhat controversial fashion. Ige stunned Woodson with a left hook and while pursuing the finish Woodson shot in for a takedown. Ige defended and was landing shot but Woodson appeared to be on his way back to his feet when the fight was stopped.
Virus Jandirboa used three takedowns to control Yan Xiaonan for ten of the fifteen minute fight. Taking down the number one contender and a fifth consecutive win has the Brazilian positioned as the next Lilly challenger for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship.
About The Author
