Ali Akbar RosadyUFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski is slated to defend his title in a highly anticipated rematch against Brazil’s rising star, Diego Lopes, headlining UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, on January 31, 2025 (February 1 local time). The announcement, made by UFC President Dana White via Instagram Live on Thursday, confirms a significant championship bout that has already ignited considerable debate within the mixed martial arts community. The initial report of the matchup came from MMA insider BennyPMMA.
The first encounter between Volkanovski and Lopes took place at UFC 314 this past April, a pivotal event where Volkanovski captured the then-vacant featherweight championship, commencing his second reign atop the division. The title had been vacated by Ilia Topuria, who subsequently made a successful transition to the lightweight division, claiming the 155-pound championship with a stunning knockout victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Volkanovski’s first victory over Lopes, while ultimately decisive, was widely acknowledged as a competitive affair, with Lopes impressing many with his resilience and dangerous submission attempts against the veteran champion. Despite Volkanovski securing the win via unanimous decision, the fight showcased Lopes’s potential as a legitimate threat, making him the first challenger to truly push Volkanovski to the brink in his featherweight tenure since his initial title capture. The judges’ scorecards for their first meeting read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Volkanovski, reflecting the competitive nature, particularly Lopes’s strong moments in the early rounds and his constant threat from the ground.
Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski, 36, enters this rematch with a professional record of 26 wins and 4 losses. Hailing from Windang, New South Wales, Australia, Volkanovski has established himself as one of the most dominant featherweight champions in UFC history. His first reign, spanning from December 2019 to February 2024, included five successful title defenses against a murderers’ row of contenders such as Max Holloway (three times), Brian Ortega, "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung, and Yair Rodriguez. Known for his relentless pressure, exceptional striking, and formidable wrestling, Volkanovski has consistently proven his elite status. However, his recent outings have been challenging. After a competitive loss to then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, Volkanovski returned to featherweight to defend his title against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290, securing a third-round TKO. He then stepped up again on short notice to face Makhachev in a rematch at UFC 294, suffering a first-round head-kick knockout. Following this, he faced Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, where he lost his featherweight title via second-round knockout. The fight against Lopes at UFC 314 marked his return to winning ways and the recapture of the belt, albeit against a less-established contender than his previous opponents. The quick turnaround for the rematch suggests a desire from Volkanovski to solidify his reign and perhaps address any lingering doubts about his form following recent setbacks.
Diego Lopes, 29, boasts a professional record of 24 wins and 6 losses. The Brazilian featherweight has quickly become a fan favorite since his UFC debut in May 2023. Known for his aggressive grappling, dangerous submissions, and ever-improving striking, Lopes has carved out a reputation as a high-octane finisher. His performance against Volkanovski at UFC 314, despite being a loss, significantly elevated his stock. He notably secured a deep armbar attempt in the first round that had Volkanovski in genuine trouble, showcasing his elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt skills. Following his competitive decision loss to Volkanovski, Lopes demonstrated remarkable resilience and a quick return to form. He bounced back emphatically with a second-round knockout of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3. This victory was particularly significant as it handed Silva his first UFC loss and snapped a formidable 13-fight win streak, further cementing Lopes’s status as a top contender and a dangerous force in the featherweight division. Lopes’s ability to recover swiftly from a championship defeat and deliver a dominant performance underscores his mental fortitude and rapid skill development. His fight statistics reveal a high volume striking output and an average of 1.7 submissions per 15 minutes, highlighting his offensive capabilities.
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The timing of this immediate rematch has, however, raised questions among analysts and within the fighter community, particularly given the presence of two undefeated contenders who many believed were next in line for a title shot. Movsar Evloev (19-0) and Lerone Murphy (16-0-1) both present compelling cases for challenging Volkanovski. Evloev, a Russian grappling phenom, has maintained an unblemished professional record throughout his career, including eight consecutive victories in the UFC. His last fight was a dominant unanimous decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 297 in January, which further solidified his position as a top-ranked contender. Despite his strong record, Evloev has not competed since, due in part to injury, which may have factored into the UFC’s decision-making process.
Lerone Murphy, an explosive striker from Manchester, England, also holds an undefeated record and has been on a sensational run, with six wins and one draw in the UFC. His most recent performance was a spectacular first-round knockout of former Bellator standout Aaron Pico at UFC 306 in September, a win that garnered widespread praise and positioned him firmly in the championship conversation. Murphy’s momentum and highlight-reel finish made him a rumored frontrunner for Volkanovski’s next challenger, with Volkanovski himself previously stating that a matchup with Murphy was "a no-brainer" for a December event. The decision to bypass these two undefeated contenders in favor of an immediate rematch with Lopes has therefore generated considerable discussion regarding the UFC’s matchmaking priorities, potentially favoring recent performance and marketability over a strictly chronological order of contendership.
Lerone Murphy wasted no time in expressing his disappointment following the announcement, taking to social media to share his sentiments. "Missing the opportunity to fight one of featherweight’s GOATs is what hurts me the most," Murphy wrote, referencing Volkanovski’s legendary status. He further added a poignant observation that has resonated with many fighters and fans: "It’s not about who’s the best anymore. It’s about who’s most popular." This statement highlights a common frustration among contenders who feel that promotional narratives and popularity sometimes outweigh pure merit in securing high-profile fights, particularly title opportunities. Murphy’s sentiment reflects a broader debate within the sport regarding the balance between competitive integrity and commercial viability in fight promotion.
For Volkanovski, defending the title in his home country of Australia adds another layer of significance to this bout. He has historically performed exceptionally well in front of his home crowd, and UFC 325 in Sydney promises to be a massive event. A dominant victory would not only affirm his championship status but also potentially set the stage for future matchups against the likes of Evloev or Murphy, or even a potential third super-fight at lightweight if Topuria remains at 155 pounds. For Lopes, this rematch represents an unparalleled opportunity for redemption and to achieve championship glory. Having already demonstrated he can push Volkanovski, a refined strategy and an even stronger performance could see him shock the world and capture the featherweight title. The competitive nature of their first fight, combined with the implications for the stacked featherweight division, ensures that Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 will be a compelling spectacle at UFC 325.
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