Alexander Volkanovski might be facing a spell on the sidelines after he regained the UFC’s 145-pound world title in Miami, Florida last weekend.
The Aussie, generally regarded as being among the best featherweights in history, is now a two-time champ of the division after he scored a decision win over Diego Lopes in the Sunshine State to succeed Ilia Topuria as champion after the Georgian-Spaniard vacated the championship in advance of an assault on the 155-pound weight class.
Volkanovski, 36, has spoken of maintaining his activity during this latter stage of his career, indicating post-fight that he anticipates fighting on at least two more occasions in 2025.
But those plans may potentially have to wait after his coach, Joe Lopez, said that there are concerns in the camp that Volkanovski may have broken his hand early in the contest.
“He might have broke his hand,” Lopez said in an interview with Submission Radio, as noted by MMA Fighting. “It was earlier in the fight, I think. Alex didn’t say anything towards, it was just at the end, he was just saying, ‘Look, I think I busted my hand.’ I can’t remember which round.
“He’s got a bit of a sore foot and just the bumps and bruises after having a five-round war with a warrior. You’re going to be sore.”
Volkanovski paid tribute to Lopes in the aftermath of their fight, saying that he didn’t expect him to land so many punches throughout their 25-minute fight. But with that challenge now passed, Lopez turned his attention to a handful of the division’s next potential opponents.
“Realistically, [Movsar Evloev] does deserve it, but there was no talk of him at all at the presser,” he said. “There was no real talk of him at all. Everyone was talking about Yair [Rodriguez] and everybody else except him. It’s sort of a bit sad. I guess he’s not very exciting, and he doesn’t bring much to the table, but he’s unbeaten and he’s on a run. If anyone deserves a shot it’s actually him, but it’s up to the powers that be.
“[Jean Silva is] probably two or three fights away before we see him up there, but he’s on a good run. He is a character. Very respectful guy, too. I think there’s something missing upstairs, but that’s him.”
