UFC 325: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 highlights a significant challenge in Dana White's matchmaking strategies.
In times of uncertainty, a rematch often feels like an easy fix for bookers. They can tap into an existing rivalry and promote it as a highly anticipated sequel, suggesting there’s unfinished business to settle.
However, not every rivalry warrants a second act. This is particularly true for the upcoming main event of UFC 325, scheduled for January 31, where two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes, just nine months after their initial encounter. The first fight held much promise and excitement.
At that time, Volkanovski was stepping back into the octagon after suffering a devastating loss to Ilia Topuria, who had ended his impressive reign in the featherweight division with a knockout. Following this defeat, the title had become vacant because Topuria ascended to lightweight, where he quickly secured his own championship. This left an opportunity for Volkanovski to reclaim his title. Yet, at the age of 36, the narrative of redemption was far from certain. After consecutive knockouts—first from Topuria and then by the pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who fought him at a higher weight—doubts began to circulate about whether "Alexander The Great" was past his prime.
Retirement seemed increasingly plausible for Volkanovski, especially as he faced Lopes, a talented jiu-jitsu expert who had surged through the ranks to earn his shot at the title. The atmosphere hinted at a potential emotional shift in the division, with Lopes poised to take the torch from the veteran.
Instead, in what could have been a make-or-break moment, Volkanovski demonstrated that he still possessed considerable skill and heart. Despite a brief knockdown in the second round, the former champion decisively outperformed Lopes, clinching a unanimous decision victory. Most observers agreed that Volkanovski won four out of five rounds—a significant achievement. "Adversity is a privilege," he expressed afterward, embodying the resilience of a champion.
After what many fans considered a satisfying conclusion to this chapter, it’s surprising to find ourselves facing a rematch that few seem eager for—except perhaps Lopes and his team.
In response to criticism regarding his decision to schedule the rematch, UFC president Dana White asserted, "If you don’t like it, then don’t watch it." This typical sharp retort from White reflects his disregard for broader fan sentiments and raises concerns about whether the UFC is genuinely meeting audience expectations—pointing to a deeper issue within the organization’s matchmaking practices.
The notion that the UFC operates as a meritocracy has long been debunked. There were arguably more compelling matchups to explore than Volkanovski versus Lopes 2, and potentially more deserving contenders waiting in the wings.
Setting aside any regional bias, one contender deserving of recognition is Lerone Murphy from Manchester, who boasts an impressive record of 17 wins, one draw, and no losses. Murphy is coming off a standout performance that earned him knockout-of-the-year honors against rising star Aaron Pico at UFC 319, where he delivered a spectacular spinning back elbow that resulted in a knockout on short notice. With notable victories over fighters like Josh Emmett, Dan Ige, and Edson Barboza, Murphy’s performance was a clear statement of intent—a sentiment echoed by Volkanovski, who referred to a title shot for Murphy as a "no-brainer."
Despite this, he was overlooked in favor of another contender. Enter Movsar Evloev, currently the No. 1 contender with an unblemished record of 19 wins. He has steadily ascended from being a gatekeeper to a formidable challenger, having defeated well-respected opponents such as Ige, Arnold Allen, and Lopes himself, with his latest victory coming against former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
However, Evloev has not fought since December 2024 due to an injury that caused a planned matchup against Pico in July 2025 to fall through. His inactivity became a factor in White’s decision to bypass him, although it’s worth noting that many fighters have been granted immediate title shots despite comparable breaks from competition—take Jon Jones, Colby Covington, and Tyron Woodley, to name a few.
Sterling was also a viable option, presenting an exciting champion-versus-champion narrative, but both Murphy and Evloev likely believed they were the fresh challengers that fans were yearning to see. By passing on both contenders, a highly anticipated matchup between Murphy and Evloev now seems inevitable, likely slated for UFC London. While this fight promises action, it poses another dilemma for the UFC.
When one fighter emerges victorious, the other’s credibility as a title contender will inevitably suffer. This situation is particularly concerning for a featherweight division already feeling the effects of recent departures, including Topuria and Max Holloway. As the landscape shifts, it becomes crucial to nurture new stars at 145 pounds rather than diminish their potential.
This potential scenario might unfold at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena if Lopes manages to dethrone Volkanovski—possibly marking the Aussie champion’s final chapter in the UFC. Having decisively lost to Volkanovski nine months ago, both competitors are now a year older, leaving open the possibility of a different outcome this time around, especially considering Lopes’ impressive comeback victory over the formidable Jean Silva last September.
However, regardless of the fight's result, it feels as though the UFC has painted itself into a corner when it didn’t have to. The featherweight division has long been celebrated as one of the strongest in the organization, yet as we move into a new era, questions surrounding its future seem to outweigh the answers.
