Australian MMA celebrity Alexander Volkanovski will make his long-awaited return to the octagon to tackle Diego Lopes for the undisputed featherweight title at UFC 314 in Miami.
Volkanovski hasn’t fought in 14 months since struggling a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in California.
Alexander “The Nice” is looking for two-time champion standing and whereas most assumed that shot would are available a rematch in opposition to Topuria, Lopes is arguably the most well liked fighter within the division exterior of “El Matador”.
The Brazilian burst onto the scene in mid-2023, incomes 5 wins in 13 months to catapult himself into the featherweight title image.
His most-recent effort was a three-round beatdown of Brian Ortega at UFC 306.
Lower than two years into his UFC profession, Lopes will problem arguably the best featherweight of all-time for the belt on April 12.
Volkanovski is in unfamiliar territory having misplaced two on the bounce by knockout and three of his previous 4.
However the hyperactive 36-year-old has overwhelmed everybody besides Topuria and Islam Makhachev, and he’s eager to regain his crown after greater than a 12 months out of competitors.
UFC boss Dana White revealed in Thursday’s announcement Topuria was vacating the featherweight title and his subsequent struggle can be introduced on a later date.
The Georgian Spaniard would be the champion till the primary spherical begins in Miami.
