Alexander Volkanovski defended his UFC featherweight title against Diego Lopes in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 325 on Saturday night at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. This event marked the second numbered UFC card in two weeks, following UFC 324 in Las Vegas, a pattern not seen since 2021.
Background
UFC 325 brought the promotion back to Sydney, where Volkanovski, a local favorite, aimed to solidify his place among the division's greats. Nine months earlier, at UFC 314, Volkanovski captured the vacant featherweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Lopes. That victory started his second reign as champion. Lopes, meanwhile, stayed active and sharp, scoring a knockout win over Jean Silva in a fight many called a contender for Fight of the Year.
Volkanovski entered with a strong record, known for his technical striking and cardio that wears down opponents over five rounds. At 37, he carried the weight of home expectations in front of a packed Australian crowd. Lopes, younger and explosive, relied on his power punches and submission skills to close distance quickly. Betting odds listed Volkanovski as a moderate favorite at -148, with Lopes at +124, reflecting the close nature of their first clash.
The card also highlighted rising stars in lightweight and heavyweight divisions, setting the stage for a night of non-stop action starting with early prelims at 7 p.m. ET. Fans filled Qudos Bank Arena, creating an electric atmosphere for the promotion's return Down Under.
Key Details
The main event pitted Volkanovski against Lopes in a five-round title fight. Volkanovski controlled the pace early, using footwork to avoid Lopes' big swings. Lopes pressed forward, landing heavy shots in exchanges that had the crowd on its feet. By the championship rounds, both fighters showed signs of fatigue, but Volkanovski's experience edged him ahead on the scorecards.
In the co-main event, lightweight contenders Benoît Saint Denis faced Dan Hooker. Saint Denis, a heavy favorite at -310, used his grappling to dominate Hooker, who came in at +250 odds. Hooker landed some fan-pleasing strikes, but Saint Denis' pressure secured the win.
Road to UFC Finals
The prelims kicked off with the Road to UFC tournament finals, showcasing international talent. In the first bantamweight bout, Lawrence Lui edged out Sulangrangbo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Lui completed seven takedowns, turning the fight with grappling and counter strikes after Sulangrangbo's strong start with sharp punches.
Next, Keiichiro Nakamura pulled off a stunning comeback against Sebastian Szalay in the featherweight final. Szalay led through two rounds, but Nakamura dropped him with a knee to the chin at 3:48 of round three for a TKO victory, earning the tournament crown.
Dom Mar Fan closed the Road to UFC action with a unanimous decision (30-27 x3) over Sang Uk Kim. Mar Fan stuffed takedown attempts, dominated clinches with inside strikes, and left Kim with heavy facial damage by the final bell.
Other main card results included Mauricio Ruffy versus Rafael Fiziev in lightweight, with Fiziev a slight favorite at -120 against Ruffy's +100. Heavyweights Tallison Teixeira (-345) took on Tai Tuivasa (+275), and Quillan Salkilld (-1050) faced Jamie Mullarkey (+675) in another lightweight matchup. Each fight delivered intense moments, from Teixeira's power to Salkilld's dominance.
"Volkanovski fought like a champion tonight, but Lopes showed why he's a real threat in that division." – Brett Okamoto, UFC analyst
Fighters exchanged words post-fight, with Volkanovski praising Lopes' heart while Lopes vowed to return stronger. The event ran smoothly, with no major interruptions despite the high energy.
What This Means
Volkanovski's successful defense cements his legacy as one of the featherweight division's top champions, now holding two reigns with key wins over tough challengers. A home win in Sydney boosts his standing among Australian sports figures and keeps his title run alive. For Lopes, the loss snaps his momentum but highlights his potential; his knockout power and resilience position him for future top-contender shots.
The co-main and undercard outcomes shake up lightweight and heavyweight rankings. Saint Denis' win over Hooker moves him closer to title contention, while Road to UFC winners like Nakamura gain UFC contracts, injecting fresh talent into the roster. Teixeira's likely victory over Tuivasa strengthens his heavyweight push.
UFC's back-to-back numbered events signal an aggressive 2026 schedule, testing fighter depth and fan interest. Sydney's success could lead to more Australian cards, benefiting local talents like Volkanovski. Betting markets reacted quickly, with adjusted odds for upcoming fights reflecting these results.
Lightweight remains crowded, with Fiziev-Ruffy and Salkilld-Mullarkey winners climbing ladders toward stars like Islam Makhachev. Heavyweight stays unpredictable, as Tuivasa's fan appeal endures despite setbacks. Overall, UFC 325 delivered results that reshape divisions and set up compelling narratives for the rest of the year.
Volkanovski spoke after the fight about his preparation. He trained in Sydney, focusing on Lopes' finishing ability. Lopes credited Volkanovski's volume striking for the close fight. Hooker, ever the crowd pleaser, promised bigger knockouts ahead despite the loss. These performances ensure UFC 325 lingers in conversation, fueling hype for the next events.
