Alexander Volkanovski Dominates Diego Lopes Again to Retain Featherweight Title at UFC 325
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — In front of a fervent home crowd at Qudos Bank Arena, Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski reinforced his status as one of mixed martial arts’ all-time great featherweights, outclassing Diego Lopes by unanimous decision to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship on Sunday evening at UFC 325.
Volkanovski, the reigning two-time champion, delivered a masterful display across five rounds, showcasing precision striking, strategic footwork and adaptive fight IQ against the Brazilian challenger. When the judges’ scorecards were read, all three sided clearly with the hometown star — two panels scored it 49-46 and one 50-45 — confirming his dominance in the rematch.
A Night of Controlled Excellence
The main event — a rematch of their April 2025 bout at UFC 314 — unfolded largely on Volkanovski’s terms. From the opening bell, the 37-year-old used crisp jabs, angled movement and calculated counters to keep Lopes at bay, effectively neutralising much of the Brazilian’s offensive urgency.
Lopes, known for his toughness and resilience, had moments of aggression early but struggled to sustain momentum against the reigning champ’s superior pacing and tactical adjustments. Even a brief rally in later rounds failed to shift the momentum decisively.
After the fight, Volkanovski credited his preparation and adaptability, noting that refined game planning and execution helped him deter Lopes’ strengths and assert his own. Meanwhile, Lopes, gracious in defeat, acknowledged the champion’s elite skill set and hinted at renewal of focus as he plans his next steps in the division.
Tying Records and Legacy Building
The victory marks Volkanovski’s eighth successful featherweight title defence, tying the legendary José Aldo for the most defences in UFC featherweight history — a milestone that further solidifies his legacy in the sport.
Fighting in his home country for the first time in nearly three years, Volkanovski carried the energy of the Sydney crowd with him throughout the contest, an emotional advantage he said he relished. Looking ahead, the champion hinted at fresh challenges within the division, suggesting top contenders such as Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy could be in his sights for later in 2026.
UFC 325: A Night of High Stakes and Global Spotlight
UFC 325 — officially titled Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 — marks a major recent entry on the promotion’s calendar and underscores the organisation’s growing international footprint, with Sydney hosting the event for the first time since UFC 312 in February 2025.
Beyond the main event, the card featured a range of noteworthy performances, with several fighters leveraging the global stage to bolster their momentum in respective weight classes. While the focus remained on the featherweight title fight, standout bouts across the card added to an electric night of competition and fan engagement.
What’s Next for the Featherweight Division
As the featherweight landscape evolves, contenders are already positioning themselves for title contention. With Volkanovski’s emphatic defence reaffirming his dominance, names like Evloev, Murphy and others in the top ranks are poised to lay claim to future opportunities. Analysts suggest a potential showdown between the division’s rising stars could set up the champion’s next big test — and keep the featherweight scene compelling throughout 2026.
For Volkanovski, prevailing in back-to-back title fights against Lopes not only enhances his résumé but also signals his continued excellence well into the later stages of his career — a rare feat in one of MMA’s most competitive divisions.
