Alexander Volkanovski will return to Australia early next year as he prepares to defend his featherweight title against Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 325 in Sydney. The bout marks his first appearance in his home country since 2017.
Return to Sydney After Years Away From Home Events
Volkanovski’s upcoming fight brings him back to New South Wales, only a short drive from his hometown of Windang. The champion has competed across major global arenas since rising through the UFC ranks, but opportunities to fight at home have been rare.
Sydney will host Volkanovski’s first fight in Australia since 2017
The timing aligns with his long-expressed wish to compete again in Sydney. Previous scheduling made this difficult, including when UFC 312 arrived earlier last year, before he was available for a return.
Title Defence After Regaining the Featherweight Strap
Volkanovski regained the featherweight title after the belt became vacant. His meeting with Lopes at UFC 325 will be his second defence since reclaiming the championship. The matchup arrives nearly a year after their previous encounter.
Volkanovski defeated Lopes by unanimous decision when they met at UFC 314 in Miami
The Australian defeated Lopes by unanimous decision in Miami at UFC 314 last April. That bout was praised by fans and analysts, with both athletes delivering a competitive five-round contest.
Dana White Confirms the Headline Matchup
UFC president Dana White revealed the Sydney main event during an Instagram Live broadcast. He confirmed that Volkanovski and Lopes will lead the pay-per-view card scheduled for Feb. 1 in Australia, which corresponds to Jan. 31 in the United States.
Dana White confirmed the featherweight title rematch during an Instagram Live announcement
White also used the announcement to share additional updates on the lightweight division. He revealed that Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will meet for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January. The winner will face Ilia Topuria later in 2026.
Lopes Earns Another Shot After Climbing the Ladder
Lopes enters the rematch with renewed momentum after a string of high-energy performances. His dramatic win over Jean Silva last September pushed him further into the title conversation. That result brought him back into contention despite interest in other potential challengers.
Diego Lopes returns to the title picture after a strong run of high-energy wins
Some observers believed Lerone Murphy would receive the next opportunity after his win over Aaron Pico. Murphy’s nine-fight streak and recent knockout led Volkanovski to voice interest in facing him during his reaction to UFC 319.
Volkanovski’s Preference and Fan Reactions
Volkanovski shared his view on the division shortly after Murphy’s victory. He said the unbeaten British contender appeared to be the next logical opponent. Fans widely echoed that view online, calling for either Murphy or Movsar Evloev to step into the title picture.
A widely shared tweet captured Volkanovski’s post-fight message, noting that he congratulated Murphy and indicated interest in meeting him soon. That interaction helped fuel debate around the division’s next direction.
See you in December @LeroneMurphy congrats #ufc319
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 17, 2025
UFC 325 to Feature Strong Australian Representation
The Sydney event is expected to attract strong national support. Local fighters Jimmy Crute, Quillan Salkilld, and Tom Nolan have been mentioned as possibilities for the card. Their inclusion would help build a deep lineup for Australian viewers.
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has already ruled out an appearance at the event. Even so, UFC 325 is shaping up to be a major occasion for Australian MMA, especially with Volkanovski positioned as the main attraction.
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Rare Home Appearance for the Long-Reigning Champion
Volkanovski last fought in New South Wales in 2017 when he met Shane Young. Since then, his rise to the top of the featherweight division has occurred far from home. UFC 325 offers a rare chance for Australian fans to see him defend the belt on local soil.
The bout also carries emotional meaning for supporters. Many have hoped to see Volkanovski compete at home again, especially as he moves closer to the later stages of his career. His appearance at UFC 325 is expected to draw widespread attention from both domestic and international audiences.
