Joe Lopez says Alexander Volkanovski entered UFC 325 compromised.

Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) defeated Diego Lopes (27-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) a second-straight time to retain his featherweight title in Saturday’s main event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Lopez, his head coach, says a shoulder injury almost pulled him out of the fight.

“To be fair, Alex, four weeks ago, we didn’t think he was going to fight,” Lopez said on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel. “He pulled his shoulder out, really. He’s been compromised for the last four weeks with a busted shoulder.”

Lopez had a similar game plan for Volkanovski in the rematch after a decisive win at UFC 314, but says there was one major difference.

“Volk was sort of second-guessing himself the whole of the first Diego camp,” Lopez said. “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 out of him.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Coach: Injury almost pulled Alexander Volkanovski out of UFC 325