Michael Bisping believes there’s a clear roadmap for Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight return.
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will look to reclaim the featherweight throne when he returns at UFC 314 in April against Diego Lopes. After his former rival Ilia Topuria vacated the belt, Volkanovski and Lopes will reel in a new era in the division.
But for Volkanovski, a win at UFC 314 would be a return to the dominance that made him one of the best pound-for-pound combatants in the world. Before losing to Topuria at UFC 298, Volkanovski defended the featherweight title four times and cemented himself as an all-time great.
Volkanovski’s upcoming vacant title bout comes after suffering consecutive losses for the first time in his career. After a 14-month hiatus from the cage, Volkanovski has a clear path in front of him, according to UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping.
Michael Bisping details ideal roadmap for Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight return
In a recent upload to his YouTube channel, Bisping reacted to Volkanovski’s 145lb return.
“He wants to take on the best people, and I respect him for that, and he wanted that rematch with Ilia Topuria. He beat him, he knocked him out, and as a fighter, that affects your pride and your ego and you just want to get that one back,” Bisping said of Volkanovski.
“However, that ship has sailed. Now, there’s a real good chance that Volkanovski becomes the champion again, and who knows, maybe defends again one more time, two more times, makes a few more million dollars. This, if you ask me, is the perfect scenario for Alexander Volkanovski.” (h/t SportsKeeda)
Volkanovski’s team is already hard at work game-planning for Lopes ahead of UFC 314. Brian Ortega, one of Volkanovski’s former opponents, is seen as a comparable athlete by his inner circle.
It was originally expected that Topuria and Volkanovski would run it back later this year before Topuria’s abrupt title vacation. A rematch was proposed immediately after Topuria’s knockout win over Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Dana White: Ilia Topuria’s lightweight move doesn’t guarantee an immediate title shot
Despite Topuria’s addition to the UFC lightweight division, Dana White hinted that there are multiple options for Topuria’s next fight, some of which don’t include a title on the line. Topuria hasn’t competed at lightweight since a come-from-behind win over Jai Herbert in March 2022.
Topuria’s desired clash with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is still on the table for later this year. Makhachev most recently defended the belt against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, in a short-notice switchup following Arman Tsarukyan‘s withdrawal.
As Volkanovski prepares for the UFC featherweight belt again, a potential rematch with Topuria is out of the picture. But depending on the UFC 314 result, Volkanovski could potentially follow his old foe up to the lightweight division at a later date.
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