For a long time UFC broadcaster Jon Anik believes that Diego Lopes in an unlimited time on the brakes on UFC 314.
UFC Vederweight Competent Diego Lopes just fell a championship belt on UFC 314 earlier this month. But for Jon Anik, while Lopes did not hurt his stock in his first UFC title, his failure to put pressure on Alexander Volkanovski, perhaps cost him.
Lopes lost from Volkanovski by unanimous decision for the then vacant UFC featherweight title in Miami. It was the biggest fight for Lopes's career after a rapid climb of the featherweight ladder.
Despite the fact that they suffer from the jaws of the defeat, Lopes Volkanovski put into deep problems several times, including a round 2 knockdown in the last seconds of the round. He also surprised heavily Volkanovski in round 4 in a late coming effort.
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Jon Anik says that Diego Lopes Alexander Volkanovski leaves off the hook at UFC 314 from the hook
Lopes fluctuated Volkanovski with a right hand who seemed to jeopardize his rival's vision in the fourth round. Despite the fact that Volkanovski was forced on his rear foot, the activity level of Lopes was taken when Volkanovski had their backs on the cage, which led to Volkanovski escaped from the scary moment with sufficient time to recover.
Anik sat next to Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier and feels that the wild exchange in round 4 could eventually have run the tide for Lopes.
During a recent interview with MMA fights, Anik emphasized a time when he thinks Lopes should have capitalized on UFC 314 lately.
“I think there is an argument for 50-45 Volkanovski based on my re-watch and my kind of research, on a return roads in the score,” Anik said about the UFC 314 headliner. “The biggest punch of the fight had landed in round 4, and I would say respectfully, shame on Diego Lopes because they are not succession.
“But [Volkanovski] Landed twice as many strikes in round 4, and I think I can now understand why [judge Sal d’Amato] would score that round for [Diego]. If you land the biggest attack of the fight and you get somewhat close to perhaps setting up the man, isn't that your round? “
Despite the round 4 -threat of Lopes, Volkanovski played the role of 'Matador' well in round 5 and earned the nod on all three scor cards of the jury members. The defeat of Lopes broke a five-fog winning streak, including recent victories over Brian Ortega and then Ige.
The exchange between Diego Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski in the 4th round 🔥🔥🔥 #ufc314 #ufc #mma pic.twitter.com/68GRHJA2QLL
– Fedz_Mma (@fedzmma) April 13, 2025
UFC legend: Alexander Volkanovski 'looked old' in UFC 314 win
Volkanovsky's return to the featherweight throne concerned UFC legend Chael Sonnen. In a demolition after the fight, Sonnen emphasized various shots that were landed by Lopes on Volkanovski that would not have been demonstrated in the career of Volkanovski before.
Volkanovski bounced back after back-to-back knockout losing at Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. After he fell to Topuria on UFC 298, Volkanovski took a rare leave to recover, who paid off at UFC 314.
Next to Volkanovski is a likely matchup with Movsar Evloev. After an unbeaten run of 19-Vecht to start his career, Evloev is looking for a title shot, after recently reporting Aljamain Sterling on UFC 310.