Some say cardio is king in MMA, and that’s why some followers are siding with Alexander Volkanovski to beat Diego Lopes of their upcoming UFC title battle.
Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) and Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) meet subsequent month in the primary occasion of UFC 314. in Miami, Fla. They’ll be competing for the vacant UFC featherweight title, which was left behind by Ilia Topuria shifting as much as light-weight.
Lopes, who’s on a five-fight profitable streak since dropping his UFC debut, has shortly change into a star within the division. However although revered by many, some stay skeptical of his possibilities of profitable the title – particularly after watching him lose steam in his determination win over Dan Ige at UFC 303 final summer time.
“I feel (Volkanovski) may go in there and look to do a mixture of his recreation as a result of lots of people are nonetheless complaining that I may not have cardio for 5 rounds,” Lopes informed Habelmos MMA in Spanish. “Individuals are nonetheless hanging on to what occurred within the battle in opposition to Dan Ige, that I slowed down. However that’s OK. Folks have mouths, they usually’ll say no matter they need. I’m prepared for Volkanovski’s finest model, and I’m prepared to indicate my finest model.”
Lopes was initially scheduled to battle Brian Ortega on brief discover at UFC 303. In a bizzare sequence of occasions, Ortega ended up withdrawing from the bout attributable to sickness the day of the battle, and Ige stepped in on hours discover to battle Lopes at a catch weight of 160 kilos.
The Brazilian says he was affected by the brief discover, and in addition by combating 15 kilos over what he initially agreed to. Lopes feels he redeemed himself the next battle by going the gap and dominating Ortega at UFC 306 – which is why he couldn’t care much less what critics should say.
“That’s okay. I’m not bothered y them in any respect,” Lopes defined. “Folks have mouths, and they’re going to say no matter they need, they usually don’t need to see issues in the best way that they’re.
“Why does no person point out the knockdowns I did to Brian Ortega within the third spherical and the way I used to be doing in that third spherical? I gained all three rounds and I dominated that battle. Why do folks don’t point out that? Why don’t they point out {that a} decide gave me a 30-26?
“I don’t get it. Folks overlook issues. Folks have brief recollections. They solely need to bear in mind what they need to bear in mind, and that’s nice. I. get it. Numerous these individuals are followers of these fighters. I’m combating, so they’ll go forward and say I lack cardio to battle them.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 314.
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