“Time takes everybody out. Time’s undefeated,” Rocky Balboa once said. But are you sure you’re Rocky? Because at UFC 314, the most stacked card of the year, Alexander Volkanovski, the two-time featherweight champion, put his critics to rest. ‘The Great’ proved those who had written him off and predicted his retirement wrong. The 36-year-old Volkanovski, fighting inside the Kaseya Center, defied the odds, breaking multiple curses, including the infamous “Drake curse,” and finally ended the brutal 0-17 streak for fighters over 35 in title fights at 155lbs or below by defeating the younger, hungrier Diego Lopes.

The Aussie showed that his career is far from over, proving that experience can outshine youth. However, his victory wasn’t only due to his skill—Diego Lopes’s mistakes also played a significant role in the outcome. During the UFC 314 broadcast, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, part of the commentary team, broke down Alexander Volkanovski’s performance. Cormier noted in a post-fight discussion on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel that when Lopes rewatched the fight, he’d likely come to the realization, “I should have pressured him a little earlier,” pointing to Volkanovski’s higher level of skill.

However, Joe Rogan took a different approach in analyzing the fight. He disagreed with ‘DC’s perspective and provided his own insight, saying, “It’s not just that. It’s the lack of level changes, the zero attempted takedowns, the lack of calf kicks, and just always looking for the home run. You didn’t see a lot of jabs out of him. You didn’t see a lot of shifting movement, a lot of faints. You saw pressure—constant pressure. Volkanovski responded to that pressure with circular movement, landing jabs, and quick exchanges where he pulled out and scored.”

Rogan’s critique cut to the core of what separated the two fighters that night. While Alexander Volkanovski may have looked like a fighter in decline since 2023, Diego Lopes may have underestimated the legend standing across from him. This was the same ‘The Great’ who once rattled off a 22-fight win streak and defended his featherweight title five times, including three masterclasses against Max Holloway and a win over José Aldo. The Brazilian brought the heat early, but he lacked the stamina and fight IQ to keep up with Volkanovski’s calculated approach.

And that’s where the veteran took over—slowly, then suddenly. By the later rounds, ‘Volk’ had shifted into another gear, controlling the pace, picking his shots, and staying just out of danger. For Diego Lopes, the only path to victory was to end things early or catch Alexander Volkanovski with something big. But that window never opened. The Australian export’s experience, timing, and championship mindset prevailed once again—reaffirming his place in the GOAT conversation at featherweight.

Diego Lopes breaks the silence after his loss to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314

Ahead of UFC 314, Diego Lopes made it clear he wasn’t just showing up—he was coming to finish. “Volkanovski has a lot of experience in the UFC, fighting over five rounds. But I’ve prepared myself for rounds one, two, three, four, five, if necessary. Still, I’ve got to finish this fight,” The Brazilian said with conviction. He knew what he was up against. This wasn’t just any opponent—this was Alexander Volkanovski, a lifelong featherweight, an Australian national wrestling champion, and one of the most cerebral fighters the sport has seen.

And Alexander Volkanovski isn’t someone you catch off guard—unless you’re Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria, or you face him on short notice. But none of those advantages were in Diego Lopes’ favor this time. ‘The Great’ came in prepared, sharp, and laser-focused. Over the course of five grueling rounds, he systematically broke the Lopes down. As the fight wore on, the pace and pressure proved too much. By the final round, Lopes’ gas tank was running on fumes, and the veteran seized control with the poise of a champion.

After the dust settled, Diego Lopes took to X  to address the loss and share a message of resilience.
“Always with my head held high, a smile on my face. I fell short last night, I failed in a few things. I’ll get back to work, improve, correct the mistakes, and move forward. Thank you all for your support. As I always say, ‘NOTHING HAPPENS.’”

What did you make of the UFC 314 main event? Did Diego Lopes leave it all in the Octagon, or is his best performance still on the horizon? Share your thoughts in the comments below.