One of these days, the Brazilian contingent of analysts might pick
against their home country fighter. Now is not that day.
A number of current and former Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA fighters wanted to make their voices
heard on the main attraction of
UFC 314. On Saturday, Alexander
Volkanovski and Diego Lopes
will tangle for the vacant throne, one abandoned by Ilia
Topuria after Topuria clobbered both Volkanovski and Max
Holloway. The challenger Lopes surged his way to a title shot
thanks to stellar performances against names like Sodiq
Yusuff, Dan Ige and
Brian
Ortega along with a close loss to unbeaten Movsar
Evloev. The five Brazilians spoke to Sherdog about how they
thought the fight would play out, and confidence was fairly high on
the Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, native.
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Gilbert
Burns, former UFC welterweight title challenger: “I believe
Diego can decide that fight with his hands. I got really impressed
by what he did with Sodiq, Brian Ortega, Dan Ige. Also, he made his
debut in really short notice by doing a war against Evloev. I’m a
big fan of Diego, but of course he is facing one of the greatest
featherweights of all time. We know what Volk is capable of. But he
is coming from two strong knockout losses that may have changed his
iron chin, which may be a key point in that fight.”
Fabricio
Werdum, former UFC heavyweight champion: “Volkanovski is really
tough, explosive, fast and has knockout power besides never being
submitted before. No doubt he is one of the best featherweights of
all time. But I think Diego is in a better moment. He wants it
more. I see that fight as a five-round war, with Diego winning by
points.”
Vitor
Miranda, former UFC fighter and current UFC Fight Pass
commentator: “Diego Lopes has a chaotic style that reminds me of
Alexandre
Pantoja fighting. Concerning that, I think Volkanovski will use
the same tactical game he used against Topuria, to avoid Lopes’
approach. Jab, [movement and feints]. Actually, he was doing a
great job against Topuria before getting [caught]. I see Diego with
more possibilities to use his longer range to [land] a good
sequence on the former champion, using his superior ground skill to
get the win. I see that fight very even, but with a slight
favoritism to the Brazilian.”
Eduardo
Dantas, former Bellator champion and current Combate
commentator: “If it were in December 2022, I would have no doubt to
point the former champion as [the] favorite, but now he is coming
from two knockout losses while the challenger is coming from five
straight wins. I think the calf kick will be an important key in
that fight. Former champion normally uses a boxer basis which makes
it easier for the opponent to attack that. On the other side, Diego
uses it very well and the calf kick can help him to open space to
throw his cross punch over the left hand of Volkanovski, followed
by his heavy straight. I see Lopes’ hunger and [him being in] a
better moment [making it more likely he wins] that belt.”
Carlos
Barreto, former UFC fighter and current UFC Fight Pass
commentator: “Volkanovski is undoubtedly one of the GOATs of
featherweight and for all the history he built in the sport, is
totally fair that he is being pointed [to as the] favorite, but I
see Lopes with tools to beat him. He is longer, very fast [and] he
is able to fight from the bottom. On the other hand, Volk has
knockout power, is very aggressive and has a great speed. But I
don’t see him bringing something new for that fight. I see Diego
passing through a better moment.”