Volkanovski makes Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes prediction

Alexander Volkanovski thinks Brian Ortega’s expertise will assist him prevail at UFC 303.

Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) takes on Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main occasion (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.

Lopes is coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts of Pat Sabatini and Sodiq Yusuff. Volkanovski expects Lopes to land on Ortega however isn’t certain if he’ll have the ability to put him away. The previous featherweight champion additionally thinks Ortega’s placing is underrated.

“His (Lopes) placing is subsequent degree, however Ortega’s chin, you would possibly put on him down, he would possibly get damage, I don’t find out about shutting his lights off,” Volkanovski stated on his YouTube channel. “I can’t see that taking place. … Going from expertise and what I’ve seen, he’s received a granite chin.

“I feel which may cancel out the massive KO punch from Lopes to get Ortega. It’s going to be fascinating on the ft. Ortega’s received some fairly good ability on the ft. I feel he’s going to need to do extra work on the ft. I feel he’s going to be engaged on the placing, and when he chooses to work on his placing, he’s truly received nice placing.”

Volkanovski was pushed to the brink by Ortega of their title combat at UFC 266 in 2021. Ortega dropped Volkanovski and caught him in a deep guillotine choke, however Volk managed to battle out of it. He went on to batter Ortega for the unanimous determination win.

Volkanovski sees Ortega vs. Lopes as a assured banger and hopes the combat hits the bottom. In the end, he’s choosing Ortega to get the upset win over the surging Lopes.

“Who am I choosing? Lopes is favourite,” Volkanovski stated. “Lopes is sweet, man. That is going to be the primary time I could be going in opposition to Lopes. Ortega’s sturdiness. It’s a three-rounder. Does he do sufficient harm within the first two rounds to get a choice? Three rounds, man, am I going to go along with Lopes? I feel on the ft he’s going to land extra as a result of he’s going to come back aggressive.

“I don’t assume he’s going to drop him or knock him out. May, however like I stated, Ortega’s chin is legit. Man, it is a tough one for me. I can’t pull the set off on this. This one would possibly smash the parlays, guys. I’m going to go along with the underdog right here. I received lots of respect for Lopes, and I do know he’s going to carry it, and I do know it is a short-notice combat, three rounds. Stylistically on this scenario would possibly favor him somewhat bit extra, however I’m going to go Ortega.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 303.