Despite a dominant win at UFC 325, UFC featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski fought at significantly less than 100 percent.

For the second time in 10 months, Alexander Volkanovski outpointed Diego Lopes by unanimous decision as he defeated the top contender in their UFC 325 rematch last weekend. Volkanovski put on a signature performance against Lopes, stifling Lopes’ grappling and landing some devastating shots with his striking.

It was a return to greatness for Volkanovski after breaking his first UFC losing skid last year against Lopes at UFC 314. Now, the UFC featherweight GOAT contender is eying other big fights for the remainder of his UFC tenure.

But Volkanovski’s latest historic chapter nearly didn’t come to fruition after the featherweight champ suffered a massive ailment weeks before UFC 325. Despite the ailment, Volkanovski was able to do seemingly whatever he wanted against the dangerous Lopes in the Octagon.

Alexander Volkanovski nearly pulled out of UFC 325 due to serious injury in camp

In a post-fight interview backstage with Daniel Cormier, Volkanovski’s longtime coach Joe Lopez shared a surprising detail about the featherweight champ’s prep for UFC 325.

“To be fair, Alex, four weeks ago, we didn’t think he was going to fight,” Lopez said of Volkanovski.

“He pulled his shoulder out, really. He’s been compromised for the last four weeks with a busted shoulder.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

Despite Volkanovski’s recent ailments and Father Time being undefeated, Lopez doesn’t see the champ hanging up the gloves anytime soon.

“Volk was sort of second-guessing himself the whole of the first Diego camp,”  Lopez admitted about Volkanovski.

“With this camp, Volk was back to himself. He was confident, didn’t have to say anything. He was just old Volk back again. Maybe we can get another four [fights] out of him.”

Volkanovski will likely face the UFC London main event winner for his next featherweight title defense later this year. Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev will battle it out for top contendership.

Who do you think will fight Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC champ’s next featherweight title defense? Let us know in the comments!