TLDR
- Daniel Cormier declared Alexander Volkanovski the greatest featherweight fighter in UFC history after UFC 325
- Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes by unanimous decision despite a shoulder injury that nearly forced him to withdraw
- The victory marked Volkanovski’s eighth successful title fight, extending his division record
- Cormier cited Volkanovski’s head-to-head wins over legends like Max Holloway and Jose Aldo as proof
- Coach Joe Lopez revealed Volkanovski was compromised for four weeks with a shoulder injury before the fight
Sources: Sherdog | Cageside Press | MMA Mania
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier has declared Alexander Volkanovski the greatest featherweight fighter in UFC history following his performance at UFC 325. Cormier made the statement after Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes by unanimous decision this past Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
The victory marked Volkanovski’s eighth successful title fight, extending his record at the top of the featherweight division. Cormier pointed to Volkanovski’s dominant record and title defenses as surpassing other legends in the division’s history.
Cormier praised Volkanovski’s competitive spirit and his refusal to take easy paths in his career. The former two-division champion emphasized that Volkanovski’s head-to-head victories over other featherweight legends like Max Holloway and Jose Aldo sealed the debate.
Fighting Through Injury
What makes Volkanovski’s latest victory even more impressive is that he nearly withdrew from the fight. Coach Joe Lopez revealed on Cormier’s YouTube channel that Volkanovski injured his shoulder about a month before facing Lopes.
“To be fair, Alex, four weeks ago, we didn’t think he was going to fight,” Lopez said. “He pulled his shoulder out, really. He’s been compromised for the last four weeks with a busted shoulder.”
Despite not being at 100 percent, Volkanovski secured a clear-cut unanimous decision over Lopes. This was the second time Volkanovski defeated Lopes, having previously beaten him by unanimous decision at UFC 314.
Return to Form
Lopez explained that Volkanovski showed renewed confidence heading into the rematch compared to their first encounter. “Volk was sort of second-guessing himself the whole of the first Diego camp,” Lopez said.
“With this camp, Volk was back to himself,” the coach continued. “He was confident, didn’t have to say anything. He was just old Volk back again.”
The performance demonstrated that Volkanovski has returned to his peak form after previous setbacks. Lopez suggested that Volkanovski could have several more fights left in his career, stating “Maybe we can get another four out of him.”
Volkanovski’s resume now includes multiple successful title defenses against top contenders in the featherweight division. His victories over former champions and rising stars have solidified his position at the top of the division.
Cormier’s declaration that the featherweight GOAT debate is over reflects Volkanovski’s sustained dominance. The Australian fighter has shown interest in facing other top contenders like Movsar Evloev or Bryce Mitchell moving forward.
Volkanovski’s ability to compete at the highest level while dealing with a shoulder injury demonstrates his toughness and skill. His coach’s revelation about the injury adds context to an already impressive performance at UFC 325.
The featherweight champion continues to defend his title against the division’s best fighters. His willingness to face any challenger rather than seeking easier matchups has earned him respect from fellow fighters and analysts like Cormier.
