Alexander Volkanovski once again proved why he sits atop the UFC featherweight throne, outlasting Diego Lopes in a punishing five-round rematch to retain his 145-pound title at UFC 325 in Sydney on Sunday.
Fighting in front of a feverish crowd of nearly 20,000 at Qudos Bank Arena, the 37-year-old Australian champion delivered a masterclass in grit and control, earning a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) in his first world title defence on home soil.
Volkanovski, widely regarded as the greatest featherweight in UFC history, continued his dominance over the younger Lopes after also beating him by decision at UFC 314 last April.
This one, however, was harder earned. The challenger arrived aggressive and fearless, refusing to be overawed by the occasion or the partisan crowd.
Walking out to the iconic Australian anthem Down Under, Volkanovski soaked in the atmosphere, with cricket legend Steve Waugh among the VIPs cheering him on. Despite entering as a strong favourite, the champion was wary of Lopes’ size and power, conceding five inches in height to the Brazilian.
Lopes threw caution to the wind early, forcing Volkanovski onto the back foot with leg kicks and pressure striking. A heavy right hand in the third round briefly rattled the champion and raised the volume inside the arena. But Volkanovski responded the only way he knows how — by upping the tempo.
Using his trademark footwork, sharp combinations and clinch control, Volkanovski steadily took the fight away from Lopes. As the rounds wore on, the challenger’s output faded, while the champion’s engine kept churning. By the final round, Volkanovski was firmly in control, denying Lopes any chance of a late knockout.
“It ain’t getting any easier,” Volkanovski said post-fight. “He’s young, he’s hungry, and I wanted to take him out. But we got the job done.”
The co-main event saw French lightweight Benoit Saint Denis continue his rapid rise with a second-round technical knockout of Dan Hooker, securing his fourth straight victory and issuing a clear warning to the division.
In the heavyweight bout, Brazilian Tallison Teixeira earned a unanimous decision win over Tai Tuivasa, condemning the Australian fan favourite to a sixth consecutive defeat.
(with AFP inputs)
