On Saturday evening, one of the UFC’s most iconic champions will step back into the Octagon. Expectations are high for UFC 325’s main event in Sydney, Australia, where the reigning featherweight champion is set to defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski.
Known as ‘The Great,’ he previously captured the vacant featherweight championship last April by defeating Diego Lopez. Should he win on January 31st, he will match the record for the most title fight victories in the 145-pound division. This raises the ongoing debate: does his record already establish him as the greatest featherweight fighter in UFC history?
In recent developments, a UFC 325 bout was canceled after a fighter attempted to cheat the weigh-in by using a tactic famously employed by Daniel Cormier.
Fans are invited to weigh in on potential outcomes, including a poll asking who would win in a rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopez.
Australian Robert Whittaker recently shared his perspective on the featherweight GOAT rankings, placing Ilia Topria above Jose Aldo despite Topria’s shorter tenure in the division. Whittaker praised Topria for dismantling top-tier opponents and noted his knockouts over both Volkanovski and Max Holloway, emphasizing that his rankings are influenced by his personal biases.
Volkanovski himself has demonstrated exceptional skill inside the cage and will likely need another outstanding performance to secure a second win over Lopez. Should he defend his title successfully this time, he would tie the record with eight featherweight title fight wins.
Jose Aldo, recognized as UFC’s inaugural 145-pound champion after transitioning from the WEC, boasts seven consecutive title defenses and an interim championship. He remains a significant figure and was ranked in the top two on Chris Weidman’s list of the greatest featherweights during a recent weigh-in show, though Whittaker gave the top spot to himself and placed Aldo third.
One major challenge to Aldo’s claim as the featherweight GOAT is his record against other elite fighters. Despite his dominance, Aldo suffered losses to Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Conor McGregor and was never able to regain his former supremacy.
Fan Take: This matchup and the ongoing GOAT debate are pivotal for fight enthusiasts, as they not only showcase the evolving talent pool but also redefine what it means to be the best in the featherweight division. The outcome could cement legacies and influence how future generations of fighters are measured in the sport.
