Regains 145-pound gold Volkanovski regained the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC 314 in Miami. Impact Volkanovski entered on a three-fight losing streak. His last time out last February, he was knocked out by Ilia Topuria, dropping his 145-pound belt in the process. He got another chance at UFC gold here after Topuria decided to move up to lightweight and vacate the title in the process and he responded with a vintage performance. Volk remained on the gas pedal all night, closing with a 158-63 edge in significant strikes landed. He landed just 1-of-11 takedown attempts, but the tries served to keep Lopes off balance. Volkanovski was knocked down in Round 2 and had a problem with his eye in Round 4, but kept coming. It was a very strong all-around performance against a legitimately talented opponent. History suggests that Alex, at age 36, isn't destined to be a long-term champion this time around, but we'll see. He's already cemented his legacy as one of the best to ever do it.
APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE