At first glance, they couldn’t be more different. On one hand, you have Alexander Volkanovski, a stocky ex-rugby player turned UFC champ, shaped by five-round wars. On the other hand, there is Diego Lopes, a wiry jiu-jitsu finisher from Manaus, made for chaos and viral highlights. But look closer, and a common thread connects them. Both debuted on short notice. Both were overlooked early. And both earned their place by thriving under pressure. Volkanovski climbed up the ranks by beating legends, and Lopes’ ascent was aided by his near-upset of Movsar Evloev on five days’ notice. And now their path converge as they get ready for a title clash at UFC 314.

The build-up to their fight has been unlike what you usually see around these circles. Both Volkanovski and Lopes have shown mutual respect, openly acknowledging each other’s skills and the threat they bring to the Octagon. But as we draw near to the fight night, some mind games are at play from Volkanovski’s camp.

Volkanovski’s coach, Joe Lopez, made observations about the 30-year-old Lopes, warning him not to ‘overreact’ while butting heads with ‘The Great’ inside the Octagon. He pointed out this especially because of the ex-champ’s ability to mitigate distance despite having a relatively short reach due to his stature.

“Alex really plays the long game really well, especially for the shorter fighter that he normally is. He’s really got a good understanding and a good eye for distance,” Alexander Volkanovski’s coach told Submission Radio on April 6. “Alex, playing his game and showing his looks and feints and everything else on that outside, and Diego being very reactive, it could be a hard night in the office for him if he overreacts to Alex’s movements, which we’re counting on.” While the words of Lopez echo true, it is Volkanovski who might be the underdog heading into the fight.

Volkanovski has now lost three of his last four fights, and this weekend marks his return to action since losing the title to Ilia Topuria last year in February at UFC 298. He has taken nearly 14 months between his last fight and his upcoming clash against Lopes, and at 36, there is a concern about how long he can go in the Octagon. Meanwhile, Lopes’ rise to the ranks has been in stark contrast to Volkanovski’s struggles.

Since losing to Evloev, he has notched up five straight wins, including three first-round finishes. In his last outing at UFC 306, he defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 306, rocking him in the early stages. His knockout power is something for Volkanovski to look out for, and it makes him a dangerous proposition. Volkanovski, however, is determined to prove everyone wrong.

People think my time is done? I hope they do. I can’t wait to prove them wrong on April 12th. “He’s a great dude; I respect him. But sorry, mate, that ain’t happening. I’m still here,” he said in February. His coach’s comments will add to his belief and may make the fans of Diego Lopes nervous. And Lopes’ recent actions might have them more worried.

Lopes collaborated with Nina Marie Daniele for a brief workout session ahead of UFC 314, and as MMA fans know, it may not end well for Lopes. A section of MMA fans points out the fact that almost every fighter that Nina has interviewed or friendly sparred with has lost their fights, dubbing it the ‘Nina Drama curse.’

Prior to UFC 313, Alex Pereira engaged in content with Daniele. He subsequently lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev via unanimous decision. Arman Tsarukyan participated in a video with Daniele where he demonstrated techniques, including a neck bridge exercise. Shortly after, he withdrew from his UFC 311 fight against Islam Makhachev due to a back injury, leading some fans to jest about the “curse.”

Marvin Vettori also collaborated with Daniele ahead of UFC Vegas 104, and he was subsequently defeated by Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision. Hence, there might be some apprehension among Lopes’ fans before his featherweight title bout this weekend. However, the influencer made sure to remind her fans and followers that the curse is not real and they have nothing to worry about because she has made videos with both featherweight contenders.

“Theres no Nina Drama curse! I filmed with BOTH fighters. Worst thing that can happen… a draw,” Marie Daniele wrote on her Instagram post. A day prior to working out with Lopes, she shot a video with Volkanovski.

And guess what? This is not the first time she’s addressed the ‘curse’ allegation. After Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 loss, the 36-year-old became the target of a female UFC fighter, and she didn’t hold back in her response.

Nina Marie Daniele clapped back at Diana Belbita for her comments on Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 defeat

“We have new curse. Nina Drama curse,” Diana Belbita posted on X after Alex Pereira‘s loss to Magomed Ankalaev. This comment apparently hit a nerve with Nina Marie Daniele, who clapped back, clearly showing her displeasure with these claims. While she appeared respectful to the Romanian strawweight contender, she shut the UFC fighter down. What did she say? Marie Daniele advised Belbita to pay attention to her own career, as she then had a fight against Dione Barbosa coming up at UFC Vegas 105.

“I respect you as a fighter so I won’t say anything bad. How am I a curse when I filmed as many videos with Alex as I did with Ankalaev? Please elaborate,” Nina Marie Daniele wrote on X. “You should focus more on training and less on tweeting negativity. Focus on your fight with Dione Barbosa… you have a tough challenge ahead. Wish you the best.” Well, maybe ‘Nina Drama’ wasn’t wrong at all when she asked Belbita to focus on her career because the Romanian fighter would go on to lose the fight last weekend.

Well, we are just a few days away, and it will be interesting to see who falls prey to the alleged curse laid by Nina Marie Daniele. Regardless, it promises to be an interesting clash of two contrasting styles.