Volkanovski Defends Featherweight Title Against Lopes at UFC 325

Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his UFC featherweight championship against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, on February 1, 2026. Volkanovski secured a unanimous decision victory with scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45. The event marked Volkanovski's first fight in his home state of New South Wales since 2017 and his first title defense on home soil in nearly a decade.

Fight Outcome and Post-Fight Details

The main event saw Volkanovski defeat Lopes for the second time in a 10-month span, having previously beaten him at UFC 314. Following the fight, Volkanovski received a US$100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his performance.

Lopes sustained injuries during the 25-minute bout, with initial diagnoses at the arena suggesting potentially broken feet. Subsequent hospital tests confirmed fractures in both feet, though surgery was not required. Lopes is expected to use boots and crutches for several weeks during his recovery.

Volkanovski's head coach, Joe Lopez, revealed post-fight that Volkanovski had sustained a serious shoulder injury four weeks prior to the event, and withdrawing from the fight had been a significant consideration.

Despite this, Volkanovski's performance did not visibly indicate any hindrance during the match, showcasing his resilience and determination.

Pre-Fight Context and Athlete Perspectives

Alexander Volkanovski (37 years old)

Recent History and Mindset: The rematch followed Volkanovski's consecutive knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. He noted the previous fight with Lopes affirmed his ability to absorb strikes, addressing concerns after these losses. Coach Joe Lopez observed a renewed confidence in Volkanovski's mental approach, and Volkanovski expressed eagerness to compete in front of his home crowd after an eight-year wait to fight in Sydney.

Fighting Strategy and Retirement Speculation: Volkanovski had planned to implement a more aggressive style, aiming for a more direct domination, and had even predicted a knockout victory. Addressing ongoing discussions about his future, Volkanovski stated he was not rushing towards retirement.

"I still got a bit left in me."

He indicated that another defeat after this fight would likely deter him from pursuing a third attempt at a UFC title. Training partner Jamie Mullarkey had dismissed retirement rumors, stating Volkanovski was in excellent form.

Career and Brand Expansion: Volkanovski has expanded his brand, "Volkanovski Inc.," through various media ventures. These include his popular YouTube series "Cooking With Volk," commercial filming, and a speaking role in an upcoming "Streetfighter" movie. He holds sponsorships with companies including Sportsbet, KIA, and Uber Eats, and ownership stakes in Engage sportswear and Combat Supplements. Volkanovski was reportedly negotiating an upgraded UFC contract, valued at over $5 million annually.

Legacy: UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier asserted that Volkanovski had solidified his position as the greatest UFC featherweight, surpassing Jose Aldo. Volkanovski has now achieved eight UFC featherweight title fight victories.

Diego Lopes

Path to Rematch: Lopes earned the rematch by defeating Jean Silva via spinning back elbow in September, setting up their highly anticipated second encounter.

Fighting Style Analysis: Volkanovski characterized Lopes as "dangerous" due to his hand power and willingness to attempt submissions. However, he suggested Lopes fought with "no thought, no strategy," relying on landing a significant strike and focusing on striking without reacting to incoming punches. Volkanovski also noted Lopes' limited improvement in cage-cutting ability since their last encounter.

Expert Opinions: MMA analyst Dan Hardy suggested Lopes had gained valuable insight into Volkanovski's movements from their first encounter. UFC fighter Dan Hooker questioned Lopes' ability to significantly alter his fighting style for the rematch. Robert Whittaker believed Volkanovski had already established a blueprint for victory, while Michael Chiesa highlighted Lopes' reported improvements in wrestling from training at Oklahoma State.

Weigh-ins and Other Card Details

Both Volkanovski (65.54kg) and Lopes (65.77kg) successfully made weight for the featherweight championship bout. During their final face-off, Volkanovski stated, "the belt is staying here," while Lopes indicated the rematch would be significantly different.

The UFC 325 card also featured other Australian fighters. Tai Tuivasa, who was on a five-fight losing streak, received a strong reception from the Sydney audience. Jamie Mullarkey, Volkanovski's training partner, also competed on the card against Quillan Salkilld. Undercard fighters Oban Elliott and Jono Micallef required separation during their face-off, adding to the pre-fight tension.

Future Opponents and Title Eliminator

Volkanovski identified undefeated contenders Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy as primary candidates for his next fight. He expressed readiness to face any opponent the UFC presents and a desire for a quick turnaround after the Lopes bout.

Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are scheduled to headline a UFC event at London's O2 Arena on March 21 or 22. This matchup is widely considered a title eliminator, with the winner expected to challenge Volkanovski. Evloev's last fight was in December 2024 against Aljamain Sterling, while Murphy is coming off a knockout victory in August.

Brazilian fighter Jean Silva publicly challenged Volkanovski via social media, stating his intention to train with Ilia Topuria in preparation for a potential matchup. Volkanovski also discussed a potential BMF title fight against Max Holloway, predicting Holloway would defeat Charles Oliveira in April.