Alexander Volkanovski does not speak Spanish, but he is sure that Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez had nothing to say about each other at the UFC 314 press conference.
Tensions rose on the press on Thursday evening in Miami, days away from the highly appreciated UFC backing of Alexander Volkanovski against Diego Lopes. The former champion wants to win back the vacant featherweight title, left his rival Ilia Topuria.
Speaking of rivalry, Lopes took a shot at former interim champion Yair Rodriguez. When he was asked about a potential fight, Lopes did not mention Rodriguez's two -way losing series for a title shot.
Rodriguez would then call Lopes a 'p ****' because he jumped his teammate Marco Beltran with both hunters who get up. Lopes submitted Beltran with a knee bar in a Mexican title fight.
In the meantime, Volkanovski and Michael Chandler were between them when security intervened.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Alexander Volkanovski's look at Diego Lopes, Yair Rodriguez Beef
The last victory of Volkanovski actually came over Rodriguez on UFC 290 in his last defending defense and booked to fight Lopes, their argument had gave 'Alexander the Great' a bit.
“At one point I am just like, look, don't fight each other,” said Volkanovski in the UFC 314-way show.
“If someone is injured, I may not have an opponent,” Volkanovski continued.
“I was standing.”
Alexander Volkanovski was asked yesterday about the beef between Yair Rodriguez and Diego Lopes:
'Don't fight each other. If someone is injured, I may not have an opponent …
I had something like “I might have to dive here.” 
@Ufc #ufc314pic.twitter.com/CBLTTH3QYM
– Championship Rounds (@champrds) April 11, 2025
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It appears that Volkanovski was on 'standby' for a while when Lopes and Rodriguez argued after the UFC 314 press conference ended.
Volkanovski has the reputation to be a 'everywhere' kind of hunter 'everywhere', who fought a lightweight Islam Makhachev and the dangerous Ilia Topuria four months later.
Where the Australian is, he is ready to fight.
Alexander Volkanovski about second fight: 'I might have to dive in'
The featherweights came together with the security that closely monitored and Volkanovski, the former champion on stage.
“In the beginning I had something like that, oh, yes. I saw nothing would happen, but they eventually have a chat,” said Volkanovski.
“They have to be closer. So I am so of it, I better ensure that nothing happens because I want to make sure that I have a dance partner tomorrow night.
“They actually got very close. So I had something like that, oh, I might have to dive here …”
Because all this happened, Alexander Volkanovski admits that he had no idea what they said.
“I don't speak Spanish very well, but I am sure there are some abusive words,” Volkanovski joked.
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