‘I’m a huge Volk fan, but…’: Big fear emerges as UFC superstars reveal their title predictions

Diego Lopes has spent 50 minutes trying to beat Alexander Volkanovski.

Another 15 trying to beat Movsar Evloev.

And has nothing but losses to show for it.

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So when the only fighter to have shared the Octagon with both UFC 333 headliners makes his prediction, it’s worth hearing.

He’s sticking with the Aussie.

Even as Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev and Jorge Masvidal see trouble coming for the Wollongong icon.

For Lopes, however, there is a question Evloev still needs to answer.

Can the undefeated Russian make his wrestling work against Volk?

Speaking to MMA Junkie, the Brazilian questioned whether the challenger could put Volk under the sort of pressure that has carried him through 20 professional fights without a loss.

“This is a tough fight for both,” Lopes said.

“So, I don’t know if Movsar can put pressure on Volkanovski on the cage, on the ground.

“I still think Volk. He beat me two times, so I know he’s still here. I still think Volkanovski can take that. He’s a big legend in this sport.”

Lopes made his UFC debut against Evloev at UFC 288 in May 2023, stepping in at short notice and giving the Russian plenty to think about before losing a unanimous decision.

Despite the loss, his willingness to take the fight and threaten Evloev with submissions helped announce him as a featherweight worth watching.

Five straight wins followed, earning Lopes a shot at the vacant championship against Volk at UFC 314 in April last year.

But the Aussie proved too good over five rounds, reclaiming the belt by unanimous decision.

Their rematch at UFC 325 in Sydney earlier this year brought the same result, with Volk again winning on all three judges’ scorecards.

For Lopes, those two defeats were proof the 38-year-old champ still has plenty left.

Poirier isn’t so sure the next assignment suits him.

“Volk is getting older,” Poirier told Deep Waters.

“This guy is on fire and young.

“I’m a huge Volk fan but I think Evloev is a bad matchup for some reason.”

Makhachev also favours the challenger, although he expects Volk to make him work for it.

Makhachev has twice fought the Aussie himself, winning their first meeting on points before stopping Volkanovski in their short-notice rematch.

“[Movsar] knows himself that the fight won’t be easy, that Volkanovski is a tough opponent for anyone,” Makhachev said.

“But I think Movsar will manage with his youth.

“Volkanovski, honestly speaking, is not at the same peak he was a couple of years ago.

“Even though he is still one of the best fighters.

“I think it’ll be a very competitive fight but I hope Movsar will do his job.”

Masvidal was more blunt.

“Movsar beats him,” Masvidal said.

“I’ll say it right now. He beats Volkanovski.

“I said he was going to beat Murphy. I still think Murphy is the most violent guy in the division, and I think Movsar is going to beat Volk.

“And I love Volk – he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.

“Right now, Movsar is at a different level.”

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Evloev has won all 20 of his pro fights, including 10 inside the UFC, with his wrestling and relentless pressure carrying him to the front of the featherweight queue.

The only man to have fought them both reckons the Aussie can handle it.