Ali Akbar Rosady
Sydney, Australia – Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski asserted his dominance once again at UFC 325, successfully defending his featherweight championship against a relentless Diego Lopes in a highly anticipated rematch held at the Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday, January 29, 2026. The Australian champion secured a TKO victory in the fourth round, bringing a raucous hometown crowd to its feet after a contest that saw both fighters push their limits.
The main event was a compelling narrative of a champion seeking to silence doubts and a challenger desperate to prove his prior performance was no fluke. Their first encounter at UFC 314 in April saw Volkanovski emerge victorious via unanimous decision, a fight where Lopes surprisingly pushed the long-reigning champion to the brink and earned widespread respect. This second clash was anticipated to be even more explosive, and it delivered.
From the opening bell, Lopes, known for his aggressive jiu-jitsu and increasingly dangerous striking, came out with palpable intensity, looking to close the distance and test Volkanovski’s defensive grappling. He landed a clean left hook early in the first round, briefly staggering the champion and signaling his intent. Volkanovski, ever the composed tactician, quickly regained his footing, utilizing his superior footwork and crisp boxing combinations to keep Lopes at bay. The first two rounds were a high-octane chess match, with both fighters exchanging powerful strikes and brief grappling exchanges along the fence. Lopes showcased improved striking defense, absorbing fewer clean shots than in their previous meeting, and demonstrating an uncanny ability to counter the champion’s feints.
As the fight progressed into the championship rounds, Volkanovski began to ramp up the pressure. His relentless pace and superior cardio, hallmarks of his storied career, started to wear on the Brazilian challenger. In the fourth round, Volkanovski capitalized on a momentary lapse in Lopes’s defense, landing a powerful right hand that visibly hurt Lopes. Following up with a barrage of punches against the cage, the champion unleashed a flurry that prompted referee Herb Dean to step in and halt the contest at 3:12 of the fourth round. The TKO victory marked Volkanovski’s sixth successful title defense, further cementing his legacy in the featherweight division.
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In his post-fight interview, a visibly emotional Volkanovski lauded Lopes’s courage and skill. "Diego is a true warrior. He pushed me hard in both fights, and he’s only getting better," Volkanovski stated amidst cheers. "But I’m the champion for a reason. I train for these deep waters, and I always find a way. Sydney, thank you for the incredible support!" Lopes, while disappointed, showed humility in defeat. "Volkanovski is the best in the world. I gave it everything, but tonight wasn’t my night," he conceded. "I will learn from this and come back stronger." The victory undoubtedly solidifies Volkanovski’s position atop the featherweight hierarchy and opens the door for new challengers, with potential matchups against rising contenders already being discussed.
The co-main event featured a thrilling lightweight clash between New Zealand’s Dan "The Hangman" Hooker and France’s Benoit "God of War" Saint Denis. This bout was touted as a potential Fight of the Night candidate, pitting Hooker’s veteran experience and devastating striking against Saint Denis’s relentless, high-pressure attack. Hooker, coming into the fight with a record of 23-13 and having won three of his last five outings, looked to re-establish himself as a top contender. Saint Denis, with an impressive 13-2 record and a three-fight winning streak, aimed to add a significant name to his resume.
The fight lived up to its billing, delivering three rounds of non-stop action. Saint Denis initiated a ferocious pace from the outset, throwing heavy kicks and aggressively seeking takedowns. Hooker, known for his resilience, weathered the early storm, employing sharp jabs and timely counter-hooks. The second round saw Hooker find his rhythm, landing several significant strikes that momentarily stunned Saint Denis. However, the Frenchman’s iron chin and unwavering resolve kept him in the fight, and he managed to secure a crucial takedown late in the round, controlling Hooker on the mat. The third round was a back-and-forth war, with both fighters trading blows in the center of the octagon. Saint Denis’s relentless pressure and volume striking, coupled with a late takedown, ultimately swayed the judges. Benoit Saint Denis was awarded a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), extending his winning streak and signaling his arrival as a legitimate threat in the stacked lightweight division. For Hooker, it was a tough loss, but his performance once again showcased his durability and heart.
Earlier on the main card, the lightweight division continued to deliver excitement as Rafael Fiziev, boasting a professional record of 12-3, faced off against the aggressive Brazilian newcomer Mauricio Ruffy (9-1). Fiziev, known for his dynamic striking and muay Thai background, demonstrated his technical superiority, methodically breaking down Ruffy’s defenses. After a competitive first round, Fiziev upped his intensity in the second, landing a series of blistering body shots and a head kick that dropped Ruffy. The referee intervened, granting Fiziev a TKO victory at 1:47 of the second round. This win puts Fiziev back on track after his recent setback and positions him for another high-profile matchup in the talent-rich 155-pound division.
In the heavyweight division, Australian fan-favorite Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa (15-7) aimed to snap a two-fight losing streak against the debuting Tallison Teixeira (4-0). Tuivasa, famous for his walk-off knockouts and shoey celebrations, lived up to his reputation. After an initial feeling-out process, Tuivasa connected with a thunderous overhand right that sent Teixeira crashing to the canvas just 58 seconds into the first round. The knockout victory ignited the Sydney crowd, allowing Tuivasa to perform his signature shoey celebration to the delight of his hometown supporters. This quick finish was a crucial morale boost for Tuivasa and reminded the heavyweight division of his concussive power.
Rounding out the main card, featherweights Quillian Salkilld (10-3) and Jamie Mullarkey (17-7) engaged in a gritty three-round battle. Both fighters, known for their well-rounded skills and willingness to stand and trade, delivered an entertaining contest. Salkilld, demonstrating crisp striking and strong defensive wrestling, managed to control the pace for much of the fight. Mullarkey, however, showed incredible heart and landed several significant strikes in the final round, making it a close affair. Ultimately, the judges rendered a split decision in favor of Quillian Salkilld (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), a testament to the closely contested nature of the bout.
The event kicked off with a robust preliminary card, broadcast on Paramount+, setting the tone for the evening’s main attractions. In the featured prelim bout, heavyweight Junior Tafa (6-4) squared off against Billy Elekana (5-2). Tafa, showcasing improved striking defense and powerful combinations, secured a unanimous decision victory after three hard-fought rounds. Fellow Australian Cameron Rowston (7-1) faced Cody Brundage (9-6) in a middleweight contest, with Rowston earning a dominant unanimous decision win, impressing with his grappling control. Jacob Malkoun (8-3) secured a comfortable unanimous decision over Torrez Finney (6-2) in their middleweight encounter, showcasing his superior wrestling. Jonathan Micallef (6-1) made a successful UFC debut, submitting Oban Elliott (10-3) via rear-naked choke in the second round of their welterweight bout.
The early prelims, also streaming on Paramount+, provided a solid foundation for the night. Kaan Ofli (4-1) defeated Yizha (5-2) via unanimous decision in a featherweight clash. Kim Sangwook (7-2) secured a TKO victory over Dom Mar Fan (5-1) in the first round of their bantamweight fight. Keiichiro Nakamura (35-12) utilized his veteran experience to earn a unanimous decision win against Sebastian Szalay (7-3) at welterweight. Finally, Sulangrangbo (4-0) remained undefeated, submitting Lawrence Lui (3-1) with an arm-triangle choke in the first round of their flyweight bout.
UFC 325 in Sydney proved to be a memorable night of fights, headlined by a championship performance from Alexander Volkanovski and featuring several thrilling finishes and competitive matchups across all divisions. The event further solidified the UFC’s strong presence in Australia and left fans eagerly anticipating the next major card.
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