Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes react to Ilia Topuria vacating featherweight title

Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes aren’t thinking too much about Ilia Topuria now.

Wednesday night, the MMA world was shocked by the news that featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was vacating his title, and former champion Alexander Volkanovski and rising contender Diego Lopes are set to fight for the belt at UFC 314 in April in Miami. Most assumed a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski was next up, but now Topuria is making good on his promise to move up to lightweight and pursue a second title.

In a video posted to his YouTube shortly after the announcement, Volkanovski reacted to this sudden change of plans.

“I just found out it was Lopes not that long ago,” Volkanovski said. “We always knew it was going to be April for the belt, we just weren’t exactly sure who. Obviously, that throws questions ... What’s happened with Ilia? Is he having a break? Is he moving up? I still don’t know the answer to that. ... He obviously was talking about moving up. We originally thought it was going to be Ilia or Lopes. I was preparing for Ilia because we did the face-off.

“Lopes, obviously a dangerous dude. A bit of a different matchup to Ilia. Obviously, both are dangerous fighters. I’m really looking forward to this one, very excited. Excited to show everyone — people are like, ‘Oh, he’s old, he’s done!’ I hope people are thinking that. Everyone knows I love the underdog story, I love to prove people wrong. I still think a lot of people believe in me, and I’m going to go out there and look great anyway. But for those who don’t, you have every right to think that until I change your opinion, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do April 12. So I cannot wait for that.”

Similarly, Lopes didn’t spare much thought on Topuria choosing to abandon his hard-won title, instead focusing on the task at hand and his opportunity to become a UFC world champion.

“I have worked like no one else in recent years, I have accepted challenges and dares that the UFC has put in front of me, I have said yes in every situation, even when it was not favorable for me. In less than 2 years within the UFC I will have my opportunity for the title. I will not fail. Dream, believe and make it happen. #AndNew”

Lopes has been on an incredible tear since signing with the UFC in 2023. After losing his short-notice debut in a close fight with undefeated Movsar Evloev, Lopes won five in a row, most recently dominating Brian Ortega at UFC 306. Volkanovski, meanwhile, is currently amid the worst stretch of his career, losing three of his past four fights, culminating in dropping the title to Topuria at UFC 298.

But despite that, and his respect for Lopes, the former featherweight champion had a message for his future foe.

“I ain’t getting any younger, but I’m still feeling great,” Volkanovski said. “... You may be seeing the best Volk you’ve ever seen, so let’s go. I’m feeling great, and I’m only going to get better from here. That’s the scary thing, especially for Lopes.

“I think Lopes is in for a very, very hard fight. He’s a gamer, he’s a great dude. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, very nice fella. I’m sure he’s expecting to go out there and win the belt, but I’m sorry mate, that ain’t happening. But good on ya for being in this position. Happy you’re getting the opportunity to fight for the belt, but I’m still here. You ain’t having it. Sorry mate.”