Coach: Alexander Volkanovski might have broken hand in UFC 314 win, still wants Ilia Topuria rematch

Alexander Volkanovski is UFC featherweight champion again, but the massive achievement was far from easy.

“The Great” went five rounds with Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 this past Saturday and though Volkanovski went on to win a convincing decision, he had to survive a knockdown scare in the second round and deal with the gritty Lopes for the duration of the contest. In the end, Volkanovski was awarded with a vacant belt for his efforts, making him a two-time UFC titleholder.

According to Volkanovski’s head coach Joe Lopez, the fighter also had to deal with a hand issue early in the fight, and it could be an injury that puts Volkanovski on the shelf for the foreseeable future.

“He might have broke his hand,” Lopez told Submission Radio. “We’ve still got to get that X-ray. So he did hurt his hand.”

Lopez couldn’t recall exactly when Volkanovski complained of the discomfort, but he thinks it must have been serious for his fighter to bring it up. Overall, he’s grateful that the grueling battle didn’t take more of a toll on Volkanovski’s health.

“It was earlier in the fight, I think,” Lopez said. “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.”

With Volkanovski back on top, and former champion Ilia Topuria moving up to lightweight, the featherweight field is wide open again and a number of fresh challengers are available for the Australian star. Lopez ran down a few of the names available, mentioning Volkanovski’s desire to settle the score with Topuria some day with Topuria having knocked Volkanovski out at UFC 298.

“It’s not up to us,” Lopez said. “It’s up to Ilia and the UFC. I’m sure the UFC would love to have that fight because that would have a lot of eyes on it, especially after Volk’s performance on the weekend. I know for a fact Volk really wants that back. It’s that pride thing. You think you really had it and you lost it. You want that one back and I know Volk really wants that one back. But again, that’s up to Ilia and the powers that be.”

A rematch between Volkanovski is unlikely to be booked anytime soon, especially with viable contenders waiting in the wings. The undefeated Movsar Evloev still awaits his shot and UFC 314 saw another candidate emerge with Jean Silva running through Bryce Mitchell.

Lopez addressed both potential opponents.

“Realistically, [Evloev] does deserve it, but there was no talk of him at all at the presser,” Lopez 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.”

“He’s definitely going to be a contender in the future,” Lopez said of Silva. “He’s 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.”