Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopez are set to face off once more on Saturday night at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia. The two featherweight contenders previously battled for the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314 in Miami last April, where Volkanovski emerged as the clear victor after a hard-fought five-round contest.
Following that loss, Lopez made a strong comeback by knocking out Jean Silva three months later at Noche UFC. Despite some fans criticizing UFC President Dana White’s decision to arrange a rematch, Lopez’s performance earned him a second opportunity to fight for the championship.
Ahead of the fight, Bloody Elbow staff have shared their predictions. Jordan Ellis believes Volkanovski may be past his prime, suggesting Lopez could capitalize and win by knockout this time. Conversely, Until Kobe feels Volkanovski will dominate again, reaffirming his status as a top-tier fighter and advancing his career further.
Jamie Theodosi doubts that Lopez has made enough improvements since their first bout, expecting a repeat of Volkanovski’s previous performance. Kyle Dimond thinks Lopez will finish the fight this time, acknowledging Volkanovski’s willingness to accept any challenge has placed him in a tough spot. Meanwhile, Harvey Leonard worries the rematch is unnecessary and could end Volkanovski’s reign if Lopez manages to inflict serious damage again.
This upcoming rematch between Volkanovski and Lopez is a critical moment for both fighters and fans. It highlights the high stakes in featherweight competition and serves as a compelling narrative about resilience, rivalries, and championship legitimacy in the sport of mixed martial arts.
