BREAKING: A highly anticipated featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes is officially set to headline UFC 325 on January 31, as announced by UFC CEO Dana White earlier today. This championship bout will take place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, marking Volkanovski’s return to his home country since his gripping battle against Islam Makhachev in February 2023.
The excitement builds as Volkanovski (27-4) aims for his second consecutive title defense against Lopes (27-7). The previous encounter at UFC 314 in April ended with Volkanovski defeating Lopes by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45. Lopes’ impressive comeback was solidified when he knocked out Jean Silva in September, prompting this immediate rematch.
The implications of this matchup reverberate through the featherweight division. Contenders Movsar Evloev (19-0) and Lerone Murphy (17-0-1) have expressed their disappointment on social media, highlighting the competitive nature of the division. Murphy lamented, “Missing the opportunity to fight one of the featherweights [GOATS] is what hurts me the most. It’s not about who’s the best anymore. It’s about who’s most popular.” Meanwhile, Evloev proposed a fight with Murphy, suggesting they could meet in early 2026 to secure the next title shot.
This rematch not only serves as a thrilling main event but also brings heightened stakes for both fighters as they vie for supremacy in the featherweight landscape. With Lopes ranked No. 2 and Evloev and Murphy positioned as Nos. 1 and 4 respectively, the division is primed for a shake-up following UFC 325.
As fans eagerly anticipate this showdown, all eyes will be on Volkanovski as he seeks redemption in front of a home crowd. The tension is palpable, and the featherweight title will be on the line. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates leading to this electrifying event.
