UPDATE: A highly anticipated rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes is officially set to headline UFC 325 on January 31, as confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White earlier today. This featherweight title fight will take place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, marking Volkanovski’s return to his home country since his narrow loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in February 2023.
Volkanovski (27-4) is eager to defend his title for the second consecutive time against Lopes (27-27). The last encounter ended in a tight unanimous decision victory for Volkanovski at UFC 314 in April, where judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45. Lopes earned this rematch by delivering a stunning knockout against Jean Silva in September, putting pressure on Volkanovski to perform at his best in what promises to be an electrifying bout.
The announcement has stirred excitement and frustration among other contenders in the featherweight division, particularly Movsar Evloev (19-0) and Lerone Murphy (17-0-1). Both fighters expressed their discontent on social media, highlighting the competitive landscape of the UFC. Murphy lamented, “Missing the opportunity to fight one of the featherweights [GOATS] is what hurts me the most,” while Evloev proposed a matchup with Murphy for early 2026 to solidify their contender status.
As the fight approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Volkanovski and Lopes, with implications that extend beyond the octagon. The stakes are high, not just for the fighters, but for the entire featherweight division as they watch the championship landscape shift.
Stay tuned for further updates as UFC 325 draws closer, and prepare for what could be a defining moment in both fighters’ careers.
