Alexander Volkanovski fights a 'curse' nobody's beaten at UFC 314

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

It's that time again where former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski must defy all odds by coming out ontop in another title fight.

While fight fans are scrambling to make their predictions for Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, shining light on Lopes' past performances and fundamental flaws, they overlook one crucial detail; A UFC 'curse' that remains undefeated in the Octagon.

Does Volkanovski have what it takes to upset the odds?

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Alex Volkanovski must overcome 'age curse' at UFC 314

UFC fighters in men's divisions, below welterweight, are winless in title fights if they are aged 35 or above. The record for fighters who fit this criteria (including welterweight) is an alarming 3-24.

Weight Class	Record in title fights (aged 35+)
Flyweight	0-3
Bantamweight	0-4
Featherweight	0-5
Lightweight	0-4
Welterweight	3-8

Volkanovski is 36 entering his fight with Lopes, and has already fallen victim to the statistic twice, in his rematch with Makhachev, and knockout loss to Ilia Topuria.

'The Great' was notably self-aware of the 'curse' ahead of his fight with Topuria, where he embraced the old-man persona in the buildup.

Name	Weight Class	Age	Defeated by
Joseph Benavidez	FLW	35	Deiveson Figueiredo
Joseph Benavidez	FLW	35	Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo	FLW	35	Brandon Moreno
Urijah Faber	BW	35	Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz	BW	35	Henry Cejudo
TJ Dillashaw	BW	36	Aljamain Sterling
Henry Cejudo	BW	36	Aljamain Sterling
Kenny Florian	FW	37	José Aldo
Frankie Edgar	FW	37	Max Holloway
Korean Zombie	FW	35	Alex Volkanovski
Josh Emmett	FW	37	Yair Rodriguez
Alex Volkanovski	FW	35	Ilia Topuria
Tony Ferguson	LW	36	Justin Gaethje
Michael Chandler	LW	35	Charles Oliveira
Alex Volkanovski	LW	35	Islam Makhachev
Justin Gaethje (BMF)	LW	35	Max Holloway
Pat Miletich	WW	35	Carlos Newton
Gil Castilo	WW	37	Matt Hughes
Demian Maia	WW	39	Tyron Woodley
Jorge Masvidal	WW	35	Kamaru Usman
Jorge Masvidal	WW	36	Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman	WW	35	Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman	WW	35	Leon Edwards
Colby Covington	WW	35	Leon Edwards

Historically, UFC fighters of Volkanovski's age in the featherweight division are 0-5 in title fights. A win at UFC 314 for Volkanovski would be a first-ever for any fighter below welterweight.

Does 'The Great' make UFC history?

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