Volkanovski Faces Lopes Again in UFC 325 Title Rematch

Alexander Volkanovski defended his UFC featherweight championship against Diego Lopes in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 325 on February 1, 2026, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. This event marked the second numbered UFC pay-per-view in two weeks, following UFC 324 in Las Vegas, and drew a full house for the local hero's title defense.

Background

UFC 325 brought the promotion back to Sydney for the first time since 2021 with back-to-back major events. Volkanovski, fighting in front of his home crowd, aimed to solidify his place as one of the division's all-time greats during his second reign as champion. He first beat Lopes via unanimous decision at UFC 314 nine months earlier to claim the vacant belt. Lopes, meanwhile, stayed sharp by knocking out Jean Silva in a standout fight between their meetings.

The card included a mix of title action, ranked contenders, and finals from the Road to UFC tournament. Featherweight headliner Volkanovski entered as the favorite at -148 odds, while Lopes sat at +124. Betting lines also favored Benoit Saint Denis over Dan Hooker in the lightweight co-main at -310 to +250. Other matchups like Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-120 to +100) and heavyweights Tallison Teixeira vs. Tai Tuivasa (-345 to +275) added depth.

Volkanovski's return to Sydney carried extra weight. The Australian star has headlined multiple events there, building a strong connection with fans. Lopes, a rising talent with knockout power and sharp skills, sought to upset the champion and claim the belt in his second shot.

Key Details

Main Card Highlights

The featherweight title rematch closed the show. Volkanovski controlled the pace early, using his footwork and precise striking to keep Lopes at bay. Lopes pressed forward with heavy shots, landing a few clean ones in the second round, but Volkanovski's volume and defense shone through. Judges scored it unanimously for Volkanovski, extending his reign.

In the co-main, Benoit Saint Denis faced Dan Hooker in a lightweight clash. Saint Denis used his grappling to wear down Hooker over three rounds, securing a decision win. Hooker landed some big strikes but couldn't overcome the pressure.

Rafael Fiziev edged Mauricio Ruffy in another lightweight bout. Fiziev's speed and counters proved decisive in a back-and-forth fight that went the distance. Heavyweights Tallison Teixeira and Tai Tuivasa delivered power early, with Teixeira's ground game leading to a stoppage in round two. Quillan Salkilld dominated Jamie Mullarkey with overwhelming striking for a quick finish.

Preliminary and Early Fights

Road to UFC finals opened the night. In bantamweights, Lawrence Lui beat Sulangrangbo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Sulangrangbo started strong with strikes in round one, but Lui's seven takedowns and pressure in the later rounds swung it his way. Lui rode a four-fight win streak into the event.

Featherweight final saw Keiichiro Nakamura stop Sebastian Szalay via TKO in round three at 3:48. Szalay controlled the first two rounds, but Nakamura landed a knee to the chin that dropped him for the comeback win, earning the tournament title.

Dom Mar Fan won the flyweight final over Sang Uk Kim by unanimous decision (30-27 x3). Mar Fan outstruck Kim 101-60 in significant strikes, dominating clinches after Kim's failed takedown attempts. Kim ended with visible facial damage.

"This win feels even better in front of my home fans. Lopes came to fight, but I stayed sharp and got the job done," Volkanovski said after retaining his belt.

The full card ran smoothly, with prelims starting at 7 p.m. ET and the main card following. Fighters showed respect post-fight, and the Sydney crowd roared for every finish.

What This Means

Volkanovski's successful defense strengthens his legacy in the featherweight division. A second win over Lopes quiets talk of vulnerability and sets up potential superfights or trilogy bouts down the line. His home victory boosts morale for Australian MMA fans and keeps him active in title discussions.

Lopes' loss slows his momentum but highlights his threat level. The knockout artist remains a top contender, likely earning another big opportunity soon. Saint Denis' win over Hooker moves him closer to lightweight title contention, while Hooker's resilience keeps him relevant.

Road to UFC winners—Nakamura, Mar Fan, and Lui—earn UFC contracts, injecting fresh talent into rosters. Teixeira's dominance over Tuivasa shakes up heavyweights, positioning him as a name to watch.

UFC's quick turnaround with numbered events signals a busy 2026 schedule. Sydney's success as a host city could lead to more frequent stops there. Fighters like Fiziev and Ruffy stay in the mix for rankings climbs. Overall, UFC 325 delivered action that advances multiple divisions and builds hype for future cards.

The event underscored Volkanovski's consistency under pressure. Defending twice against the same hungry challenger shows his skill edge. Lopes' physical tools tested him fully, but experience prevailed. For the promotion, packing Qudos Bank Arena twice in quick succession proves strong international draw.