"Diego needs to throw caution to the wind and be willing to get knocked out in order to land the shots that will put Volkanovski away. I don't think he can beat Volkanovski by submission or decision, so he has to get a knockout here. He has to put himself in harm's way to do that, and say to himself, "One of us is going down, and I hope it's going to be you.'"
"Volkanovski won last time, but he wasn't able to take Lopes down. The first fight looked pretty easy for Volkanovski, but if Lopes can keep it on the feet again, he'll be able to string together better combinations. He's got power that can give Volkanovski problems. Volkanovski is a gamer; he's down to fight anybody and challenge himself. Lopes, however, is not here for a challenge, he's looking to hurt you. I think there will be situations in this fight where he can hurt Volkanovski."
Alexander Volkanovski will defend the UFC featherweight title in a rematch against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 in Sydney. Volkanovski captured the vacant title previously and enters as a technically complete fighter with striking, grappling and championship experience. Diego Lopes aims to keep the fight standing, increase aggression and land fight-ending power shots; a knockout appears to be his clearest path to victory. Lopes brings youth, speed and power that can create damaging sequences. Volkanovski's versatility and consistent pressure present a counter: Lopes must accept significant risk to change the outcome.
Read at ESPN.com
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