Diego Lopes Shuts Down Alexander Volkanovski Revenge Narrative Ahead of UFC 325
This Saturday, UFC will visit Sydney, and homegrown hero Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight belt inside the Qudos Bank Arena. Volkanovski will take on former rival Diego Lopes in a much-anticipated rematch scheduled for the Australian card.
The pair last fought each other in 2025 for the vacant title, where the Aussie star beat Lopes via unanimous decision. It was a systematic beatdown that clearly showed the difference between the younger fighter and the veteran that night. Going into the title rematch, many expected Lopes to take revenge after learning from his previous loss on points.
However, according to the Brazilian contender, he simply wants to win the belt and insists it is nothing personal here. “I only want to take the belt. It’s like beat Volk or whoever the guy is that holds the belt,” said Deigo Lopes via UFC 325 Media Day.
Previously, Diego Lopes receiving an immediate rematch against Alexander Volkanovski sparked criticism from fans and experts questioning the merit and divisional fairness. Many believed top contenders like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy deserved more opportunities after consistent performances and unbeaten runs recently. Even Volkanovski has agreed that Evloev has not been tested fairly by the UFC top brass and is ready to fight anybody.
Responding to backlash, UFC CEO Dana White bluntly told critics not to watch the fight if uninterested at all. Nevertheless, following the success of the first UFC Paramount card, UFC 325 carries massive expectations and commercial interest worldwide.
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Alexander Volkanovski talks about his age and upcoming challenges
Alexander Volkanovski is regarded as one of the most dominant and decorated champions in recent mixed martial arts history. He shocked everyone last year by reclaiming the featherweight title, defying odds after setbacks and intense criticism from fans.
Despite being 37 years old, Volkanovski remains a serious threat to top contenders across the stacked featherweight division. The Australian champion has made it clear he has no intentions of retiring anytime soon, but is more cautious about his fights.
“You need to be calculated, especially at this point in my career. You better be doing it right, because things can go bad if you’re not doing it right at 37 years old. I’m happy to talk about that. I love that pressure. I’m old, but I’m still better than these guys,” said Alexander Volkanovski via ESPN.
According to Alexander Volkanovski, defeating Diego Lopes for a second time would not significantly add anything meaningful to his already legendary legacy. He further explained his intention to face other top contenders soon while staying as active as possible throughout the remaining years.
READ MORE: UFC 325: Full Fight Card, How To Watch, And Event Details
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