”I promised my girls I would bring the belt back to them,” said the now two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The Aussie ace made history at UFC 314 as he slayed Brazilian dynamo Diego Lopes via unanimous decision. On top of that, the 36-year-old juggernaut did the unthinkable, punching several curses in the face by becoming the only two-time undisputed 145lbs kingpin at this age. One of these was breaking the ‘over 35’ curse, where no UFC fighter was ever able to win a world title fight over the age of 35 between 125lbs and 170lbs. The tally stood at 0-17 ahead of the Miami PPV with ‘Volk’ finally breaking this infamous streak.

However, the so-called ‘Drake curse’ took a hit when Volkanovski captured the featherweight title. The Canadian rapper is well-known for betting money on UFC fights but his track record hasn’t really been all smooth. Moreover, the fighters backed by the Grammy-winning artist have gone on to lose their bouts spectacularly. Remember Israel Adesanya losing at UFC 281 and UFC 305 in his 185lbs title fights when Drake backed him? Or Jorge Masvidal who lost his grudge bout against Colby Covington. Although, he has seen some wins along the way. However, the larger consensus among fans was that ‘Volk’ was doomed at UFC 314.

But with his victory, the Aussie not only secured UFC gold but also helped Grammy award-winning rapper cash in big—who pocketed nearly $9,16,500 after betting $5,45,000 on the new 145-pound champ. The moment even caught the attention of BJJ legend Craig Jones, who shared a photo of Volkanovski’s triumph and captioned it: “Drake curse broken. Over 35 curses broken. My life, still cursed. @alexvolkanovski.”

Volkanovski reminded the world why he’s called ‘The Great’ with a vintage performance to reclaim the featherweight title at UFC 314. In a high-stakes main event, Volkanovski secured a unanimous decision victory over 30-year-old Lopes, silencing critics and snapping back from recent adversity in emphatic fashion. Ahead of the bout, Lopes showed his emotional side, shedding tears after receiving a heartfelt video message from his family back in Mexico. It was a moment that resonated with fans, highlighting just how much the fight meant to him. Despite coming up short, Lopes handled the defeat with grace and determination.

“Always with my head held high, a smile on my face. I fell short last night, I failed in a few things,” Lopes wrote in a heartfelt post on social media. “I’ll get back to work, improve, correct my mistakes, and move forward. Thank you all for your support. As I always say, ‘NOTHING HAPPENS.'”

Volkanovski, on the other hand, broke not just the so-called ‘Drake Curse’ but also the whispers of an age decline. Standing victorious once again, he embraced the moment with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, stating, “It’s good to be back. Adversity is a privilege. This moment is incredible.” But there was someone from Volk’s past who took to social media to congratulate the man!

Islam Makhachev congratulates former rival Alexander Volkanovski after UFC 314

‘The Great’ had two back-to-back brutal losses against Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, which affected him deeply and sent him into a dark place mentally. However, the recent UFC 314 victory marked a powerful return to form. Volkanovski stormed back on track, reclaiming the featherweight belt by defeating Diego Lopes after Ilia Topuria vacated the title.

Volkanovski and Makhachev shared one of the finest rivalries in recent MMA history. Their first clash was razor-sharp, showcasing two elite-level fighters at their peak. Since then, they’ve shared immense respect for each other. The lightweight champ showed his praise and respect for the two-time featherweight champ, posting, “Congrats legend,” on social media.

Meanwhile, Volkanovski is fired up after his second title win and is eager to get back into action. He’s already eyeing a return as soon as July, targeting a quick turnaround and a potential clash with Movsar Evloev. “I can get a fight in July and then September, we can fit it in, Movsar, if they want to do that, a quick turnaround with Movsar if I don’t have busted hands,” ‘The Great’ said in the post-fight press conference.

Evloev, for his part, responded with both class and confidence. After congratulating Volkanovski on his win, he made it clear he’s ready for the challenge. He posted on X: “Congratulations on an excellent performance, you’re a true champion! Now let’s see what your word is worth! @alexvolkanovski #UFC314.”

After bouncing back from adversity and reclaiming gold, Volkanovski’s next chapter promises to be just as thrilling. Are you excited to see what the next lap holds for Alexander Volkanovski? Share your thoughts in the comments below.