Joe Lopez understands the doubt surrounding Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314.
Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) takes on Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant featherweight title in Saturday’s headliner at Kaseya Center from Miami (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN/Disney+, ESPN+).
Although betting odds have Volkanovski as a slight favorite, many pundits are questioning the former UFC champion’s form after suffering back-to-back knockout losses to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
“Nah, not at all (surprised),” Lopez told Submission Radio of Volkanovski being counted out. “You’re always as good as your last fight, you know? And he didn’t do too good in his last fight. So obviously he’s going to be the underdog.
“People write him off, but look, we’ve always liked being the underdog and people doubting us right from the beginning, you know. If anything, that just spurs Alex on more and makes him more determined to win.”
Lopes has finished 22 of his 26 professional wins. The Freestyle MMA head coach pointed out the most dangerous aspect of Lopes’ game that they have to watch out for.
“He’s unconventional,” Lopez said of Lopes. “He just throws, and he’s not calculated. But, he’s powerful, and if he gets you on that back foot, he’s going to come forward hard and fast. If you get caught, you get caught, you know. He’s caught a lot of good guys with it. So, you can’t take that away from him.”
Despite Lopes’ momentum and finishing instincts, Lopez sees Volkanovski overwhelming his opponent, the same way he did when he finished Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290.
“I’d say probably by the third round,” Lopez said. “I think he should start breaking Diego and either get him – he’ll take him down, and ground and pound him, or he’ll get a submission. But, more than likely it’ll be third or fourth round ground and pound or a tap out from the punishment.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.
