Result: Alexander Volkanovski defends his UFC featherweight title vs. Diego Lopes
Volkanovski and Lopes squared off in a rematch from UFC 314, where Volkanovski had won by unanimous decision to regain the belt.
This time the stakes and atmosphere were heightened with the fight taking place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, giving “The Great” a near-home crowd behind him.
🔥 Round-by-Round Narrative (Key Moments)
While official judges’ card details are released separately, here’s how the headline bout played out based on live coverage:
Round 1: Volkanovski’s experience and volume striking immediately showed — he established range and landed more significant strikes, forcing Lopes to adjust.
Round 2: Lopes responded with aggression, mixing takedown attempts and pressure, but Volk’s striking accuracy kept him ahead on most scorecards early.
Round 3: The momentum stayed with Volkanovski, who maintained distance and timed counters well. Lopes had moments but couldn’t consistently threaten Volk’s rhythm.
Round 4: Both fighters displayed grit, with Volk’s pace and defense proving critical in maintaining control.
Round 5: Both men finished strong — Volk’s cardio and clean work from range sealed his edge on judges’ sheets, maintaining a pattern similar to their first encounter.
Official Scoring: Volkanovski was widely reported to retain his title, with judges awarding him the decision after five competitive rounds.
(Detailed official round scores available via UFC’s scorecards.)
📌 Highlights from UFC 325 Card
🔥 Main Card Results & Standouts
Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight): A compelling clash in the co-main bout with both fighters pushing pace and engaging in striking exchanges, adding fireworks to the card.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy: A fast-paced lightweight encounter with dynamic striking.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira: Heavy hitters in a thrilling brawl that kept fans engaged.
Jamie Mullarkey vs. Quillian Salkilld: A slick, action-oriented bout bringing solid momentum to the main card.
🛎 Prelims & Early Prelims Highlights
Jonathan Micallef captured a rear-naked choke submission over Oban Elliott after initial adversity, demonstrating clutch grappling.
Keiichiro Nakamura delivered a knee KO late in Round 3 to win the Road To UFC featherweight final and earn a UFC contract.
Billy Elekana secured a rear-naked choke finish in his matchup.
Several competitive decisions filled out the prelims, showcasing rising talent across weight classes.
🎤 Atmosphere & Event Notes
Record Crowd in Sydney: UFC 325 drew over 20,000 fans to Qudos Bank Arena, with loud support especially for the Australian Volkanovski and local fighters.
Weigh-In Drama: There was a notable incident where a flyweight was removed from competition after a weigh-in discrepancy and attempted manipulation, underscoring the strict regulatory environment.
🏆 Final Thoughts
UFC 325 delivered a packed card with a successful title defense by Alexander Volkanovski, engaging undercard bouts, and standout performances from both seasoned contenders and rising stars.
The event showcased a blend of high-level striking, grappling finishes, and fan-pleasing finishes.
