Volkanovski And Lopes Set For High-Stakes UFC 325 Rematch In Sydney

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated rematches in recent UFC history, as Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes prepare to clash once again for the featherweight championship at UFC 325. This electrifying event takes place at the iconic Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, marking a triumphant homecoming for Volkanovski, who will fight in front of his compatriots for the first time in three years. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the atmosphere is already buzzing with excitement as fight night approaches.

Volkanovski, known to fans as “The Great,” comes into this bout as the reigning featherweight champion, having reclaimed the belt from Lopes nine months ago in a thrilling five-round contest. That April 2025 showdown saw Volkanovski return to his winning ways after suffering back-to-back knockout defeats at the hands of Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. The Australian’s unanimous decision victory over Lopes not only restored his status as champion but also reminded the world of his resilience and tactical brilliance inside the octagon.

For Volkanovski, this fight is more than just another title defense. It’s a chance to cement his legacy as one of the most dominant featherweight champions the UFC has ever seen. Since first capturing the 145-pound title from Max Holloway in 2019, Volkanovski has racked up an impressive list of victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including José Aldo, Max Holloway (three times), Jung Chan-sung, and Yair Rodriguez. His journey, however, hasn’t been without its setbacks. Attempts to conquer the lightweight division were thwarted by Islam Makhachev, and a brief loss of the featherweight crown to Topuria in February 2024 cast doubts on whether Volkanovski could continue to dominate the division. Yet, true to form, he bounced back, reclaiming the belt after Topuria’s departure from the division.

On the other side of the cage stands Diego Lopes, the Brazilian contender who has proven he’s no pushover. Lopes, 31, made a statement in his last outing by stopping Jean Silva in a bloody war, earning himself another shot at Volkanovski’s title. Despite his loss to Volkanovski last April, Lopes managed to score a knockdown during their five-round battle, showing he has the tools to trouble the champion. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose and momentum, Lopes is eager to flip the script and dethrone Volkanovski on his home turf.

The decision to grant Lopes the rematch wasn’t without controversy. Many fans and pundits expected Volkanovski’s next defense to come against top-ranked featherweights Lerone Murphy or Movsar Evloev, both of whom have been making strong cases for a title shot. However, UFC CEO Dana White opted for the rematch, believing Lopes would bring the kind of excitement fans crave. Volkanovski himself addressed the matchup on his YouTube channel, stating, “UFC really wanted Lopes, but at least everyone knows they’re in for a treat. With Movsar [Evloev] and Lerone [Murphy], they’re more deserving, but are they going to bring the fight like Lopes would? I think the fans are going to appreciate the fight that me and Lopes are going to have.”

Indeed, the first Volkanovski vs Lopes bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors, and expectations are sky-high for another classic. Volkanovski, now 37, is determined to notch his first victory on home soil in nearly eight years, aiming to erase the memory of his last Sydney appearance, which saw him fall to Makhachev in February 2023. Lopes, meanwhile, is hungry for redemption and eager to capitalize on any signs of aging or vulnerability in the champion’s game.

UFC 325’s fight card is stacked with talent, promising an action-packed evening for fight fans around the globe. The main card features not only the featherweight title bout but also a co-main event between New Zealand’s Dan Hooker and the in-form Frenchman Benoit Saint-Denis in the lightweight division. Hooker, a fan favorite known for his all-action style, has been trading verbal shots with Paddy Pimblett recently, hinting at a potential grudge match down the line. Other notable matchups on the main card include Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy (lightweight), Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira (heavyweight), and Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey (lightweight).

The preliminary and early preliminary cards offer plenty of intrigue as well, with fighters like Junior Tafa, Billy Elekana, Jacob Malkoun, Torrez Finney, Jonathan Micallef, and Oban Elliott all looking to make a statement. Additionally, the Road to UFC finals will see prospects like Kaan Ofli, Yizha, Kim Sang-wook, Dom Mar Fan, Keiichiro Nakamura, Sebastian Szalay, Sulangrangbo, and Lawrence Lui vie for their chance to break into the big leagues.

For fans eager to catch every moment of the action, UFC 325 will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, accessible via Discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports. In the US, the event will stream on Paramount+ as part of a massive seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast deal. Early and regular prelims will also be available on UFC Fight Pass. The fight timings are carefully aligned to accommodate global audiences: early prelims kick off at 9:30pm GMT (4:30pm ET, 8:30am AEDT), regular prelims at 11:30pm GMT (6:30pm ET, 10:30am AEDT), and the main card at 2am GMT (9pm ET, 1pm AEDT). The main event is expected to begin after 4am GMT (11pm ET, 3pm AEDT), depending on the pace of earlier fights.

With the featherweight title on the line, the legacy of a champion at stake, and a hungry contender looking for redemption, UFC 325 promises fireworks from start to finish. Will Volkanovski once again prove he’s the king of the featherweights, or can Lopes pull off the upset and silence the Sydney crowd? One thing’s for sure: fight fans are in for a treat as history unfolds in Australia’s largest indoor arena.