UFC 325 Update: Volkanovski Faces Lopes Again In A Thrilling Rematch

After a difficult 2024, Alex Volkanovski (27-4) found himself back at the top of the featherweight mountain when he defeated Diego Lopes (27-7) over five hard rounds at UFC 314 last April.

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UFC 325 Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 live updates, highlights
UFC 325 Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 fight card and results

The Australian now gets the opportunity to perform in his home state for the first time since 2017, when he again faces Lopes, who knocked out Jean Silva to put himself back in the title frame.

Headlining the bout at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, February 1 (Jan. 31 in the U.S.), Volkanovski has promised to put on a show for his fans, while Lopes is confident of righting the wrongs from their first meeting and getting his hands on UFC gold.

In the chief support, ranked lightweights Benoit Saint-Denis and Dan Hooker clash in what shapes as an action-packed affair.

Follow along with all the latest from UFC 325 below:

UFC 325 Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 live updates, highlights

Round 4: Lopes controls the middle, Volkanovski circles, left jab, back out of range. Lopes is still making contact on his shots, just not to their potential. His left eye is starting to significantly swell. Late in the frame, Lopes attempts to walk the champ down and cops a straight right for his troubles. Yet his reaction is minimal. An accidental low temporarily pauses proceedings with 55 seconds left and, after the first real back-and-forth exchange with 15 seconds to go, the horn sounds and we’re off to the final round. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 39-37

Round 3: Both fighters are far more willing to trade yet no-one is getting much work in u til Volkanovski lands massive right hand in the third minute. Lopes barely reacts and it was flush. Volkanovski circles back out of danger with both fighters staying at range and switching stances until, with 30 seconds left, Volk slips (maybe? It was hard to tell in real time but there didn’t appear to be contact) and quickly jumps back up. EDIT: Lopes got him on the chin and dropped him. That was quick. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 29-28

Round 2: Volkanovski begins round two circling the challenger, with work being directed at Lopes’ lead leg. At this early stage, it seems lead leg kicks, left jabs and getting the heck out of dodge when a Lopes bombs is about to be dropped is the game plan. It’s working well. Lopes catches Volkanovski with a jab and the champ’s eye immediately swells. The duo then trade half-in submissions and we’re off to round 3. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 20-18

Round 1: Both fighters tentative in the opening minutes with Volkanovski staying at range, throwing feints and lopes content to do the same. The action is coming in flurries with the champ potentially getting the best of the brief action. A late takedown attempt from Volkanovski is defended and the round ends with the champing circling Lopes, planting two consecutive jabs right on the snout. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 10-9

3:25pm AEDT: Bruce has entered the octagon. See you on the other side.

3:02pm AEDT: To borrow some local parlance, this place will be wildly oscillating between feral and berko when Men at Work’s “Land Down Under” kicks in. The wait is almost over.

3:00pm AEDT: Saint-Denis ends it early and Captain New Zealand ends up on the wrong end of a TKO. And now we wait.

2:40pm AEDT: With Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Dan Hooker underway, we’re edging ever closer to the main event and it can’t come fast enough. Qudos Bank Arena is a loud, potentially structurally-impacted arena right now.