‘I’m not done’: Volkanovski eager to send message at UFC 314

Alexander Volkanovski has a point to prove at UFC 314, with the former featherweight champion eager to show his career is far from over when he takes on Diego Lopes in Miami on Sunday (AEST).

The 36-year-old once ruled the 145-pound division, winning 12 straight fights after making his UFC debut in 2016.

However, three losses in his last four bouts, including his two most recent by knockout against Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, have dented the Australian’s reputation.

While Volkanovski acknowledges there are some who will see him as declining, he is confident of proving this narrative wrong on the weekend.

“A lot of people are going to look at [my losses] and be like ‘he’s done’, and they have every right to think that,” he said.

“But for me, the guy that’s turning up at the gym, seeing what I’m seeing in preparation, I know I’m not done.

“It was a short-notice fight that I took [against Makhachev].

“I wanted to take a high-risk fight with high reward.

“I was ready to take it on and I thought I could it done. Didn’t go that way.

“Quick turnaround and got caught again [by Topuria].

“There’s only one way to change everyone’s opinion is go out there this weekend and remind everybody.

“I can just show everyone and remind them this weekend and that’s the beauty of it.

“That’s exactly what I plan on doing.”

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  Fast Payouts

UFC betting sites have Volkanovski as a narrow favourite over Lopes heading into their main event clash, paying $1.80 for the Aussie to return to winning ways.

A Volkanovski decision win is the shortest-priced method of victory at $3.10, while either man winning by knockout pays $4 at PlayUp.

While the former champ would have liked a rematch against Topuria, any opportunity to prove himself in the octagon after a year out of action is a welcome one.

“I obviously wanted that rematch with Ilia to just remind everyone and to get that win back,” he said.

“But at least I still get to fight the new generation of fighter.

“The game’s evolved so I’m fighting a young, hungry guy who’s on a bit of a tear so I still got the next best thing for the vacant belt.”

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