Volkanovski Vows to Crush Foes in Long-Awaited Sydney Return

Alexander Volkanovski steps into the Octagon in Sydney on February 1 for UFC 325. He defends his featherweight title against Diego Lopes. This marks his first fight in New South Wales since November 2017. Volkanovski has waited 2,996 days for this home-state bout. He wants to put on a show for local fans.

Background

Volkanovski grew up in Windang, a coastal town 90 minutes south of Sydney. He started in mixed martial arts after a rugby league career. He turned pro in 2012 and racked up wins in regional promotions. By 2016, he signed with the UFC. His debut came in 2016, and he quickly built a strong record.

In November 2017, Volkanovski fought Shane Young in Sydney at UFC Fight Night. He won by unanimous decision at catchweight. That was his last bout in his home state. Since then, he has fought around the world. He captured the featherweight title in 2019 by beating Max Holloway. He defended it multiple times against Holloway and others.

Volkanovski lost the belt to Ilia Topuria in February 2024 at UFC 298. He got it back later that year. Now he holds it as a two-time champion. He trains at Freestyle Fighting Gym in Wollongong. He also spends time at camps in Phuket and Auckland with fighters like Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker.

The wait for a Sydney fight has dragged on. Plans for events like UFC 312 came close but missed the mark. Fans in Australia have pushed for Volkanovski to headline locally. UFC president Dana White announced UFC 325 on Instagram Live. The card features Volkanovski versus Lopes in the main event.

Key Details

UFC 325 takes place on Sunday, February 1 AEDT, which is January 31 ET. The venue is in Sydney, close to Volkanovski's roots. He faces Diego Lopes in a rematch. They fought at UFC 314 in Miami last April. Volkanovski won that one by unanimous decision.

Volkanovski enters with a record of 27-4. Lopes is 27-7. This is Volkanovski's second title defense since regaining the belt. He called for aggressive action ahead of the fight.

"Bulldoze these guys" – Alexander Volkanovski

Local talent fills out the card. Fighters like Jimmy Crute, Quillan Salkilld, and Tom Nolan could appear. Robert Whittaker, a former middleweight champion, said no to the event.

Volkanovski's Path to This Moment

Volkanovski's career hit bumps. In 2023, he took a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. He lost by knockout in the first round. His title loss to Topuria followed soon after. But he bounced back. He regained the featherweight strap that Topuria vacated.

Other bouts shaped him. He beat Holloway three times, including a split decision at UFC 251 that sparked debate. Media split on that one, with many scoring it for Holloway. Volkanovski also handled Chan Sung Jung and others. His record shows consistency at the top.

Lopes presents a test. The Brazilian pushed Volkanovski in their first meeting. Volkanovski expects another tough night but plans to dominate.

What This Means

A win keeps Volkanovski's reign strong. It cements his place among Australia's top fighters. Sydney fans get a rare chance to see their hero live. The event boosts UFC's presence Down Under. More locals on the card build the scene.

Volkanovski nears the end of his career. Fans want one last big moment before he retires. A strong performance against Lopes could lead to more defenses. It might draw unification bouts or superfights.

The lightweight division moves alongside. Paddy Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for an interim title. The winner challenges Ilia Topuria later in 2026. Volkanovski's fight stands out for Aussies.

Volkanovski trains hard in Wollongong. He mixes striking and wrestling. His boxing background helps—from a pro bout in super welterweight that he won. At 37, he stays sharp.

This Sydney return caps a long journey. From regional wins to world titles, Volkanovski chased this home fight. Nearly three thousand days later, it happens. The Octagon awaits.