Alexander Volkanovski’s triumphant return to Australian soil was nothing short of spectacular, as he handed Diego Lopes another defeat in their UFC 325 rematch in Sydney. But here's where it gets controversial... Was this fight a fair matchup, or was Lopes set up to fail against a dominant champion he had already lost to less than a year ago? Fans were divided, especially after Lopes earned his shot by dismantling fan favorite Jean Silva in a brutal display. Yet, many argued it wasn’t a level playing field.
The Sydney crowd, known for their passionate support, gave Lopes a surprisingly warm welcome—until the iconic 1981 hit ‘Land Down Under’ by Men at Work blasted through the arena. The energy shifted as Volkanovski appeared on screen, greeted by deafening cheers. The Aussie, rumored to be considering retirement, silenced the whispers by declaring he had multiple fights left in him this year alone. And he proved it, looking sharper than ever despite a grueling weight cut to 145 lbs that had fans worried.
The fight itself was a tactical battle, with Volkanovski’s precision striking and Lopes’s relentless pressure creating a razor-close contest. And this is the part most people miss... Despite no takedowns in the first round, both corners voiced concerns about grappling, setting the stage for a strategic showdown. Volkanovski’s right hand proved to be a game-changer, landing with impressive accuracy, while Lopes managed to send the champion to a knee in the third round. Yet, as they entered the championship rounds, Volkanovski seemed to pull ahead, leading 3-0 on most scorecards.
A late-fight controversy arose when Volkanovski landed a low blow in the fourth round, temporarily halting the action. But Lopes recovered quickly, pushing the fight into their tenth collective round. In the end, Volkanovski fended off a last-ditch submission attempt from Lopes, securing a Unanimous Decision victory with only one judge awarding a round to the challenger.
With this win, Volkanovski ties a record, but the question remains: Who’s next? Unbeaten contenders Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are obvious choices, but the UFC seems keen on pitting them against each other in the UFC London main event. Is this the right move, or should Volkanovski face one of them directly?
Controversial Take: If it were up to Joe Rogan, Volkanovski would already be a two-weight UFC champion. But does he deserve that title, or is there still work to be done? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s spark a debate!
