Alexander Volkanovski almost didn’t make it to his rematch against Diego Lopes.
The featherweight champion defended his belt with a unanimous decision win at UFC 325 this past weekend.
Alexander Volkanovski‘s second win over Diego Lopes is much more impressive after a post-fight confession from his coach.
Joe Lopez claims ‘The Great’ was coping with a serious injury through the final weeks of his UFC 325 fight camp.
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Alexander Volkanovski’s pre-fight injury revealed
Alexander Volkanovski suffered a shoulder injury 4 weeks out from his latest fight.
Based on his coach, they considered pulling out of the Diego Lopes rematch, but opted against it.
“To be fair, Alex, 4 weeks ago, we didn’t think he was going to fight,” Lopez said during an interview posted to Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel.
“He pulled his shoulder out, really. He’s been compromised for the last 4 weeks with a busted shoulder.”
Lopez is confident that, no matter injuries, his star pupil still has a number of fight left in him.
“Volk was form of second-guessing himself the entire of the primary Diego camp,” he added.
“With this camp, Volk was back to himself. He was confident, didn’t should say anything. He was just old Volk back again.
“Possibly we will get one other 4 [fights] out of him.”
What’s next for Alexander Volkanovski after his win at UFC 325
A record-tying win for Alexander Volkanovski, who does he fight now?
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Alexander Volkanovski’s next fight
Alexander Volkanovski has already named the opponent he wants next after UFC 325.
Movsar Evloev is predicted to face Lerone Murphy in a title eliminator at UFC London on March 21.
Volkanovski hopes Evloev gets the win so he can face the 19-0 Russian wrestler later this 12 months.
“Undefeated sounds good. I mean, they’re each undefeated within the UFC,” the featherweight king said about Evloev and Murphy during a post-UFC 325 interview.
“I believe Movsar’s 19-0, he’s got that wrestling and grappling style that’s taking up the UFC in the mean time. The brand new era, they may say. Undefeated. I’m the storyline. They’re each good storylines, but probably Movsar.
“Who do I believe is gonna win that fight? I believe Movsar wins that fight.
“So, in the event that they do fight, I’ll probably find yourself facing him.”
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