Alexander Volkanovski is in Mauricio Ruffy's corner at UFC White House and has already been thinking about a potential trilogy fight with Diego Lopez. Volkanovski and Lopez previously met twice, with the rivalry remaining a point of focus for the former featherweight champion.
Alexander Volkanovski was spotted in Mauricio Ruffy's corner during UFC White House on June 14, and reports indicate the former featherweight champion has already been entertaining thoughts of a third meeting with Diego Lopez.
Volkanovski, known as "The Great," carries a 28-4 record and remains the featherweight champion at 37 years old. The Australian out of Freestyle Fighting Gym sits at number three in the pound-for-pound rankings and has built a reputation as one of the sport's most complete fighters, averaging 5.99 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy while also threatening with 1.63 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Ruffy, the fighter Volkanovski was supporting at the event, is a 30-year-old Brazilian lightweight ranked 14th in his division. Fighting out of The Fighting Nerds with a 14-2 record, the six-foot-one orthodox striker operates at a notable pace, landing 4.19 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. His 75-inch reach gives him a physical edge in most lightweight matchups.
Why it matters
- Volkanovski's reported interest in a Lopez trilogy suggests the rivalry is far from settled at featherweight
- A third fight would carry significant divisional weight given the championship stakes between the two
- Volkanovski's presence in Ruffy's corner points to a developing relationship between the featherweight champion and one of lightweight's rising contenders
- None of this has been officially confirmed, and the trilogy talk remains at the level of unverified reports
Sunday, June 14, 2026
