Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes met for the second time in the main event of UFC 325 on Saturday.
Volkanovski, the UFC’s featherweight champion, had reclaimed his title last year in the pair’s first encounter. That had come after Ilia Topuria dethroned the Australian, then vacated his title and moved to lightweight.
While Volkanovski hadn’t fought since the win over Lopes, Diego himself had bounced back with a finish of Jean Silva at Noche UFC in September to secure another shot at gold.
There was no bad blood in the build-up to this one, just two fighters at the top of their games facing off. They touched gloves to start, Lopes bouncing on his heels.
The first action in the UFC 325 main event, at least of any significance, was a Lopes body kick about a minute in. Even that seemed to have a light touch. Champ Volkanovski was changing stances often, keeping Lopes guessing. He shot in on a takedown, but Lopes easily pushed that off. The pair traded leg kicks, and Volkanovski went to the body. A lot of what was being thrown in the first several minutes, however, was missing. A few short exchanges saw both fighters land, but neither did much damage.
Evenly matched on the feet early on at least, Alexander Volkanovski opted to pursue a takedown again. Lopes was able to stay upright, back to the fence. The champ mixed in a few punches up top, and another off the break. Lopes would land a right hand in the final minute, but Volkanovski came right back with a solid shot of his own.
After a very close round one, the second of a possible five rounds saw Volkanovski again changing stances. Lopes closed the distance, and Volk fired a leg kick. He’d keep touching Lopes with those leg kicks, and while not all of them were super heavy, in a close fight, every strike mattered. The pair then traded harder kicks, while Volkanovski circled. Lopes closed the distance and hit the body, but couldn’t follow up. More kick exchanges, with Lopes getting the better of at least one. He then crashed forward, firing an uppercut, but Volkanovski landed in response. Lopes then landed a counter. A right hand by the champ came next, getting an immediate response from the ground.
In the final minute, Lopes closed for a takedown, and Volkanovski defensed with a guillotine. He jumped right into it, with 35 seconds on the clock still! He didn’t have it, and instead wound up on his back with Diego Lopes in guard. The champ worked right back up; Lopes scaled his back and looked for a rear-naked choke, but didn’t have it.
Two close rounds. The third saw Diego Lopes getting a little busier. Both still worked the kicks. It was Volkanovski having the first big moment of the round, however, landing a right hand. He followed up, opening up a little, another right hand, a better one, connecting. The champ then tried for a takedown, and a second, but Lopes was able to stuff those attempts. Volkanovski missed a couple of big punches after that, swinging hard but hitting air. Just when Volkanovski appeared to be cruising, he charged forward, and paid for it, eating a short right hand and dropping momentarily. He was right back up, and didn’t appear to be hurt, but it might have been enough to win back a round the champ had clearly been leading.
Round four saw Volkanovski outside at first; he found a home for his right hand soon enough. Lopes had his left hand cocked, while attacking with kicks. The champ, despite the warning signs, was actually circling into Lopes power hand. Both men hit air on a couple of exchanges; Volkanovski would hit a right, then a left with just under two minutes left on the clock. Unfortunately, Volk then landed a low kick, and immediately apologized as the action was paused. Volkanovski himself reacted to the foul as soon as it landed, knowing he’d been off-target.
On the restart, Lopes tried to get in close, but it was Volkanovski getting clipped on the way in.
Lopes appeared to have a foot somewhat compromised to start round five, and looked the protect it, keeping it well behind him. Volkanovski took advantage of Lopes’ labored movement to land an easy takedown, but Lopes was straight back to his feet. Moments later, Volkanovski got the fight down again, but Lopes was back up, and after a little more grappling, they’d go down with Lopes taking the back in a scramble. Volkanovski stood back up, carrying Lopes, who was against the fence. Lopes slipped off, and dropped for a double-leg while Volkanovski landed elbows. Time was winding down. Volkanovski reversed. The champ looked for a trip. Not happening. They’d go down, but Lopes was defending with a kimura then transitioned to an arm-bar.
Volkanovski stacked him up. Lopes didn’t have the space to turn and go belly down. Vokanovski set on top in North-South position, and fired a few hammer fists, albeit at an awkward angle. Lopes fought a good fight, but Alexander Volkanovski did just a little more, and finished in side control raining down a few final blows! It was vintage Volkanovski, who was rarely in trouble in the fight outside of one brief moment.
Official Result: Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
