Volkanovski vs. Lopes Rematch Set for UFC 325 on January 31

UPDATE: A highly anticipated featherweight title rematch between ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI and DIEGO LOPES is officially scheduled to headline UFC 325 on January 31, 2024, at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. UFC CEO Dana White announced this thrilling matchup just moments ago, igniting excitement among fans and fighters alike.

This championship bout marks Volkanovski’s first return to his home soil since his narrow loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in February 2023, where he fought valiantly but ultimately lost via a close unanimous decision. Volkanovski (27-4) aims to defend his title for the second consecutive time against Lopes (27-27), who previously fell to Volkanovski at UFC 314 in April, with judges scoring that fight 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.

The stakes are high for Lopes, who earned this immediate rematch by delivering a stunning knockout against JEAN SILVA in September, showcasing his striking power and determination. Fans are eagerly awaiting how Lopes will adapt and respond after their last encounter.

The announcement has left several featherweight contenders feeling sidelined, particularly MOVSAR EVLOEV (19-0) and LERONE MURPHY (17-0-1), both of whom expressed their disappointment on social media. 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.” Evloev offered a potential matchup against Murphy, suggesting they fight on the same card as the championship bout, emphasizing their desire for title contention.

With Volkanovski and Lopes bringing their intense rivalry back to the octagon, fans can expect a battle filled with emotion, skill, and determination. As the fight date approaches, all eyes will be on Sydney, where the featherweight division will witness a pivotal showdown in the quest for championship glory.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to this exciting event!