Overview
- Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends against Diego Lopes in a rematch topping UFC 325 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Saturday (Sunday local time).
- Odds from FanDuel and BetMGM make Volkanovski a narrow favorite (around -145 to -154), while ESPN analysts are split on whether the champion repeats or Lopes finds a stoppage.
- Volkanovski says he will take more risks and "bulldoze" if openings appear, seeks a dominant showing for home fans, and has dismissed retirement rumors as premature.
- Lopes says he corrected mistakes from their first meeting, is focused solely on capturing the belt, and is unconcerned about a hostile crowd in Sydney.
- Fan frustration over the rematch prompted Dana White to tell critics not to watch, and the co-main event—Dan Hooker vs. Benoît Saint Denis—positions the winner for a top-5 lightweight matchup.