UFC 325: Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes Preview & Prediction
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Featherweight gold on the line as Alexander Volkanovski rematches Diego Lopes in UFC 325 main event.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes facts
What time are Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 325? Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Where can I get tickets for UFC 325? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 325
What TV channel is UFC 325 on? UK – TNT Sports Box Office / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC 325? UK – TNT Sports subscribers who have paid for the fight can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 main card
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight)
Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight)
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight)
Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey (Lightweight)
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 prelims
Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Cameron Rowston vs Cody Brundage (Middleweight)
Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney (Middleweight)
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott (Welterweight)
Kaan Ofli vs Yi Zha (Featherweight)
Kim Sang-wook vs Dom Mar Fan (Lightweight)
Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay (Featherweight)
Sulang Rangbo vs Lawrence Lui (Bantamweight)
Alexander Volkanovski: Legendary champion facing questions of age and durability
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski (27-4-0) enters UFC 325 as the reigning featherweight champion and one of the greatest 145-pound fighters the sport has ever seen. The 37-year-old Australian has built his legacy on elite fight IQ, relentless pace, and an ability to make mid-fight adjustments better than almost anyone of his era. Across multiple title reigns, Volkanovski has beaten elite names and consistently shown composure in five-round fights, blending sharp boxing, strong leg kicks, and underrated wrestling into a complete championship package.
However, the margins at the top are unforgiving, and time waits for no fighter. Volkanovski has gone 2–2 in his last four outings, with those losses coming against elite competition, but the wear and tear of championship-level wars is beginning to show. Although he reclaimed the belt against Diego Lopes in April 2025 via decision, the fight was more competitive than many expected. Volkanovski absorbed clean shots, especially early, and relied heavily on experience and conditioning to see out the later rounds. At this stage of his career, questions around durability and reaction time are impossible to ignore, particularly against younger, explosive challengers with nothing to lose.
Diego Lopes: Younger, dangerous challenger peaking at the right time
Diego Lopes (27-7-0) returns to challenge for featherweight gold as a fighter visibly entering his prime. The 31-year-old Brazilian brings size, aggression, and a willingness to embrace chaos that makes him one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. Standing significantly taller than Volkanovski, Lopes uses his length to create awkward striking exchanges and thrives when fights become less structured. His game is built around pressure, volume, and sudden finishing bursts rather than point-fighting.
Since losing the title fight to Volkanovski, Lopes has responded emphatically. His second-round TKO victory over Jean Silva was a statement performance that showcased improved composure, sharper shot selection, and the same finishing instincts that made him a title challenger in the first place. Lopes is not just aggressive, he is confident, durable, and increasingly disciplined. While Volkanovski controls fights through precision and pacing, Lopes succeeds by forcing exchanges and capitalising on moments of hesitation. Against an ageing champion, those moments may come more frequently.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes prediction
This rematch hinges on whether Volkanovski can once again impose control and drag the fight into deeper waters, or whether Lopes can break through before experience takes over. In their first meeting, Volkanovski’s composure carried him through difficult moments, but the challenger had success early and showed he could hurt the champion when exchanges opened up. This time, the dynamics feel different.
Volkanovski’s defensive sharpness has declined slightly, and Lopes’ confidence, power, and physical freshness appear to be peaking. Lopes no longer looks like a raw challenger fighting above his station. He looks like a man who has learned from the first fight and understands exactly where the openings are. If Lopes can force aggressive exchanges early, pressure the champion against the fence, and turn the fight chaotic, the opportunity for a decisive moment is real.
This feels like the moment where youth, power, and momentum finally overcome experience.
Prediction: Diego Lopes to win by KO/TKO
