Volkanovski Faces Lopes In UFC 325 Sydney Rematch Showdown

The atmosphere inside Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena was electric on Saturday night as UFC 325 brought world-class mixed martial arts back to Australia, headlined by a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. With thousands of fans roaring in anticipation and millions more tuning in via Paramount+, the event promised—and delivered—a night packed with action, drama, and a few surprises that will be talked about for weeks to come.

For Alexander Volkanovski, this bout was more than just another title defense. The 37-year-old Australian, widely celebrated as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, entered the Octagon with a 27-4 record and the weight of expectation on his shoulders. Ranked No. 8 pound-for-pound by Uncrowned, Volkanovski was not only fighting to retain his title but also to reaffirm his place among MMA’s elite, especially after a turbulent stretch that saw him lose and then reclaim the featherweight crown.

Volkanovski’s journey back to the top began at UFC 314 in April 2025, where he defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to win the vacant title. That victory marked the start of his second reign as champion, following a previous streak of five successful defenses that was snapped by Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. Despite his age—an outlier in a division known for favoring younger fighters—Volkanovski showed no signs of slowing down. Ahead of UFC 325, he told Uncrowned, “I don’t plan on retiring this weekend unless things go horrendously wrong.” His confidence and resilience have made him a fan favorite, especially in his home country.

Diego Lopes, meanwhile, came into the rematch hungry and determined. The 31-year-old Brazilian, with a record of 27-7, had been riding a five-fight UFC winning streak before his first encounter with Volkanovski. Although that bout ended in disappointment, Lopes wasted no time getting back on track, delivering a highlight-reel TKO over Jean Silva at Noche UFC in September 2025. His aggressive style and willingness to engage in wild exchanges made him a must-watch contender—and a legitimate threat to Volkanovski’s reign.

The main event was scheduled for five rounds, with both fighters carrying the weight of high expectations. Volkanovski, fighting in front of a home crowd in Sydney Olympic Park, had the advantage of local support, while Lopes sought to silence the arena with an upset. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, with the featherweight championship—and reputations—on the line.

The co-main event added another layer of excitement, featuring New Zealand’s Dan Hooker (24-13) against France’s Benoit Saint Denis (16-3, 1 NC) in a lightweight showdown. Both fighters are known for their aggressive approaches and willingness to trade blows, promising a bout packed with fireworks. Hooker, a staple of the division and a fan favorite, was looking to climb back into title contention, while Saint Denis aimed to capitalize on his recent momentum and push further up the rankings.

Beyond the marquee matchups, UFC 325’s main card was stacked with talent and intrigue. Rafael Fiziev faced Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight contest between two elite strikers, while the heavyweight division saw Australia’s own Tai Tuivasa square off against Tallison Teixeira—a bout with serious knockout potential. The all-Australian lightweight battle between Quillan Salkilld and Jamie Mullarkey added another local flavor, ensuring the home fans had plenty to cheer for.

The preliminary card and early prelims showcased a blend of rising prospects and seasoned veterans. Junior Tafa battled Billy Elekana in a light heavyweight clash, while Cameron Rowston took on Cody Brundage in the middleweight division. Jacob Malkoun and Torrez Finney faced off in another middleweight tilt, and Jonathan Micallef met Oban Elliott at welterweight. The early prelims featured Kaan Ofli vs. Yizha in a featherweight showdown, along with the “Road to UFC” finals in lightweight (Sangwook Kim vs. Dom Mar Fan), featherweight (Keiichiro Nakamura vs. Sebastian Szalay), and bantamweight (Sulangrangbo vs. Lawrence Lui). Flyweights Aaron Tau and Namsrai Batbayar rounded out the early action.

Fans eager to catch every moment of UFC 325 found all the action streaming exclusively on Paramount+, the new home of UFC through 2033. Both Essential and Premium subscribers had full access, with plans starting at $8.99 per month. The move to streaming reflects the UFC’s ongoing shift away from traditional cable, making events more accessible to a global audience and allowing fans to watch on a wide range of devices—from smart TVs and gaming consoles to smartphones and tablets.

As the main event approached, betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook had Volkanovski favored at -148, with Lopes a slight underdog at +124. The competitive line reflected the high regard in which both fighters are held, and the razor-thin margins that often separate victory from defeat in the UFC. Other odds included Benoit Saint Denis at -310 over Dan Hooker (+250), Rafael Fiziev at -120 over Mauricio Ruffy (+100), Tallison Teixeira at -345 over Tai Tuivasa (+275), and Quillan Salkilld as a heavy favorite at -1050 against Jamie Mullarkey (+675).

UFC 325 followed closely on the heels of UFC 324, which saw Paddy Pimblett edge Justin Gaethje in a thrilling main event and Sean O’Malley further bolster his reputation. The success of UFC 324 on Paramount+—with smooth streaming and robust viewership—set the stage for another blockbuster night in Sydney. The UFC’s momentum shows no signs of slowing, with UFC 326 already scheduled for February 8, 2026, and an unprecedented White House event planned for the summer to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, to be broadcast on CBS.

As the night unfolded at Qudos Bank Arena, it was clear that UFC 325 had delivered on its promise of high-stakes action, memorable moments, and a showcase of the world’s best MMA talent. Whether Volkanovski would continue his reign or Lopes would seize the moment remained to be seen as the main event played out, but one thing was certain: the sport of mixed martial arts continues to captivate fans in Australia and around the world.

With the energy in Sydney still buzzing and the UFC schedule packed with more can’t-miss events, fight fans have plenty to look forward to as the Octagon rolls on into 2026.