Several members in the MMA community have congratulated Alexander Volkanovski after he successfully defended his featherweight title for the first time in his second reign at UFC 325.
The Australian was backed by his home crowd at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, as he tactically handed Diego Lopes yet another loss.
Volkanovski refused to fight in the pocket. He circled constantly, making it difficult for the challenger to land anything significant. ‘The Great’ patiently waited for Lopes to step in, and each time the latter did, Volkanovski made him pay with sharp punches.
Although the 37-year-old was dropped once, it was not enough for Lopes to be ahead in the judges’ scorecard. After 25 minutes of constant back-and-forth and some grappling, Volkanovski got his hand raised.
Many in the MMA world have congratulated the current and two-time UFC featherweight champion.
MMA world reacts to Alexander Volkanovski’s successful title defense at UFC 325
Jon Anik congratulated ‘The Great’ via X, calling the performance a featherweight masterclass:
Congratulations to the all-timer Alexander Volkanovski on another featherweight masterclass! There is an argument he won all ten rounds of this two-fight series. Incredible mind for fighting and high-level execution under pressure. Champion. #UFC325″
Fellow featherweight Movsar Evloev posted on X:
Great fight by @alexvolkanovski , he showed that you can get better at that age. I can’t wait to share a cage to show why I am different than these guys! #ufc325″
At UFC 325, Volkanovski tied Jose Aldo for the most title-fight wins at featherweight with 8. After that, former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo hailed the 37-year-old as:
Greatest featherweight of all-time #UFC325 🇦🇺🏆 “
Ben Askren was impressed, too:
Volk is a timeless. He doesn’t slow down, just keeps bringing heat as he gets older.”
Pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, who has shared the octagon with Alexander Volkanovski twice, also lauded the latter:
Meanwhile, Lerone Murphy reacted to Volkanovski’s post-fight speech and commented:
Murphy also thinks he can beat the champ:
Told you so. I believe I have the style to dethrone the champ. ⏰”
Former champion Belal Muhammad wrote on X:
Volk still got it, who said he was gonna retire? He’s still fresh”
Jean Silva, who wants to challenge ‘The Great,’ also had a couple of messages for the latter:
You’re a legend, brother, but I’m coming for everything 🌎👑”
Alexander Volkanovski stated in his post-fight presser that he will only fight top contenders next, and anyone who is not worthy of a title shot should not be fast-tracked to one. After that, ‘Lord’ posted on X:
A champion’s responsibility is to defend the belt. It doesn’t matter who it’s against. If the company puts someone in front of you, you fight. Champions don’t pick opponents. Champions defend.”
Volkanovski wants to stay active and defend his title a couple more times this year. He has shown interest in fighting the undefeated Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy next.
