On Sunday, Alexander Volkanovski will look to successfully defend his featherweight crown in a highly-anticipated Sydney showdown against Diego Lopes.
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 | SUN 1 FEB 1PM AEDT | For the first time in his storied career, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his championship in his home city of Sydney, in a rematch with Brazil’s Diego Lopes. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The pair already met last year in Las Vegas, so who has the advantage from drawing on that fight and if Volkanovski was to somehow lose, would that be it for his illustrious UFC career.
Plus, which Australian underdog is primed to send a reminder to the rest of the MMA world? And who is the lesser-known name to watch on the undercard?
Foxsports.com.au’s Nick Walshaw and James Cooney team up to discuss those big talking points and more ahead of Sunday’s Sydney card.
What’s different for these guys the second time around – and who gains most from their first 25 minutes in the ring?
James Cooney: Diego Lopes did well against Volkanovski the first time, and now he’s had the rare luxury of time to plug the gaps before his second shot. He’s said he’s been studying the fight closely and working on every mistake he made. He seems very confident.
It’s also worth remembering that their first bout was Lopes’ first title fight – first time headlining a PPV too – so there should be far less nerves this time around. Volkanovski, by contrast, had already been in nine title fights and would have been much more comfortable in the spotlight.
I think Lopes will benefit most from that first meeting. He didn’t look much sharper in his last fight against Jean Silva, but going into this rematch, he has a clear advantage in my opinion.
Volkanovski, 37, is almost a year older, and at some stage, age has to be a factor – especially at featherweight. As truly great as he is.
Nick Walshaw: Undeniably, Diego Lopes had his moments in the first fight. Just nowhere near enough of them. So as for being capable of closing the gap? Within nine months? Using his most recent over Jean Silva as a guide, you’d have to say no. Although as Robert Whittaker so wonderfully reminded this week about his consecutive wars with Yoel Romero: “What happens when the opponent does something completely different? Because that second Romero fight, everything I had prepared for, everything I could see, everything I’d watched on tape, he did the complete opposite. It was a nightmare of a fight.”
Certainly reports suggest the Brazilian has been working hard on his wrestling at Oklahoma State, same as you can’t be worse prepared for Volk after sharing a cage for 25 minutes. Importantly, Lopes also owns that puncher’s chance in every sense. But to kill the king, he has to catch him. And Volk remains one of the smartest fighters in UFC history. We’ll take the champ by decision.
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Lopes: “I’m more confident in myself!” | 02:09
Does Alexander Volkanovski lay down the gloves Sunday?
Nick Walshaw: No. Or not if everything follows the type of script that is Volk winning, sending the Sydney crowd berko, and sustaining so little damage that he’s ready to throw down again midway through the year. Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Volk also revealed he is in negotiations for yet another contract upgrade. So in victory, you can be sure he’s going again.
But if – gasp – the great man loses? That’s a different story entirely. Understanding, at age 37, Volk is at the back end of what will undeniably be a Hall of Fame career. If it were a narrow loss, you’d think the UFC may allow a do over. But if not? It’s hard to see Australia’s greatest fighter wanting to join the queue of killers like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy. The other option in defeat is that the UFC may offer Volk some kind of fun farewell fight, however the company doesn’t exactly have a history of doing that. But Volk is winning, right? Which makes all of this jibber superfluous.
James Cooney: Only a truly shocking knockout would make him consider retirement in my opinion. Judging by what he’s told the media in recent weeks, he’s keen for a few more big fights, so there’s no reason to doubt him. I asked him if there was any chance he might decide on the day to hang up the gloves, and he called it “extremely unlikely.” Plus, he clearly feels confident he can handle everything Lopes has to offer. Also, Volk loves a challenge, and even if he suffers a loss, I think he’ll want a rematch. And let’s not forget that fancy bobcat he’s saving up for – he still needs the coin.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Full fight card and how to watch in Australia
START TIME: What time does Alexander Volkanovski fight at UFC 325?
Volk: “I cannot wait to put on a show!” | 02:45
How much does Tai Tuiavsa have left?
James Cooney: It’s a good question. Tuivasa has been unusually quiet in the lead-up to this fight, which I’m taking as a positive sign. Physically, he looks in great shape and has shed the kegs he stacked on at the end of last year, showing he’s taking this camp seriously. Another encouraging sign is that he’s back training in Dubai, the same base where he’s had some of his best performances.
Familiar surroundings, good coaches, and the right sparring partners is huge. I’ve seen a lot of people knocking him because of his recent string of defeats (which is admittedly long), but it’s important to remember who he’s been up against – top heavyweights like Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, and Alexander Volkov. With a win on Sunday, I genuinely think Shoeyvasa is back where he belongs.
Nick Walshaw: No matter how long you cover sport, there are some memories which never fade. Like, say, being sat cageside in Houston, Texas that night Tuiavsa delivered the elbow – sorry, hellbow – that finished Derrick ‘The Black Beast’ Lewis. Here truly was a moment that silenced the American cult favourite’s hometown. Although not for long. With Bam Bam, then at the peak of his powers, first climbing atop the cage before being tossed beers a la Stone Cold.
And the Yanks, they couldn’t help themselves. At the sight of Shoeyvasa, they went nuts.
Of course, that 2022 moment also doubles as the last triumph for a Mt Druitt slugger who has since dropped five fights, added kilos, then lost ‘em, and now prepares to throw down against a rival in Tallison Teixeira. A fighter who, for the record, boasts only two UFC fights, including a loss to the Black Beast last July. Of course, UFC maths rarely works. Still, given the shape, and headspace, Tuivasa is in this week, we’ll happily throw some cash at the almost $4 being offered by bookies.
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 | SUN 1 FEB 1PM AEDT | For the first time in his storied career, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his championship in his home city of Sydney, in a rematch with Brazil’s Diego Lopes. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
‘I could fit another six fights in!’ | 01:33
Which fight outside the main event are you keenest for?
Nick Walshaw: Has to be the slobberknocker that is Quillin Salkilld versus Jamie Mullarkey. Understanding there’s nothing we love more in this part of the world than watching two Aussies punch portholes in each other. For proof, think Mundine versus Green. Or 1980s State of Origin. And you’d like to think that as Australia’s roster of UFC fighters continues to grow, this sort of thing will become far more commonplace.
So as for who wins? Given his new standing as something of a Next Big Thing, Salkilld not only enters this fight as Sportbet’s overwhelming favourite, but the shortest priced of any fighter on the card ($1.10). In three UFC appearances, Salkilld has proved himself a berserker in every sense – finishing twice via decapitation and collecting $50K bonuses both times.
Yet if Mullarkey has been signed up to play the role of Washington Generals, somebody forgot to tell him. All week, the popular Coastie has spoken like a fella who not only knows of the chaos coming, but welcomes it. And given ‘The Hooligan’ has now shifted his entire life south to Windang, where he trains fulltime alongside Volkanovski, well, expect a dogfight from the underdog.
James Cooney: Dan Hooker vs. BSD is going to be a cracker, no matter what. Their styles are different, but both are among the most violent fighters in the division.
Hooker is desperate to bounce back after his recent loss to Arman Tsarukyan, while God of War is looking to extend his winning streak. And let’s not forget BSD’s last outing against Daruiush – he left him out cold in just 16 seconds. I’ve spoken to both fighters this week, and they’ve promised to put on a show. With Hooker’s willingness to go to war and BSD’s explosive finishing ability, fans will be the big winners.
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Classic Dan Hooker SOUNDS OFF on BSD | 05:03
Which Aussie undercard fighter could steal the show?
James Cooney: Cam Rowston. His fight nickname – “The Battle Giraffe” – has got to be one of the best in combat sports. It sits comfortably alongside Paul “The Ginger With Intent to Injure” Pfeifer and Jason “Hick Diaz” Knight.
But besides the nickname he’s also a seriously talented fighter. He’s been honing his skills at City Kickboxing for a while now, and Israel Adesanya and the rest of the team rate him extremely highly. If he continues on this trajectory, Rowston could be one of the next breakout stars.
Nick Walshaw: Jono Micallef, who apart from entering the Octagon this Sunday carrying bucketloads of promise, also owns the card’s greatest beef. Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Micallef’s rival Oban Elliott – aka The Welsh Gangster – didn’t hold back when suggesting the Melburnian had been “s****ing his pants” during a hotel confrontation between the two.
According to Elliott, the rivalry stems back to when they were supposed to fight in Perth late last year, he was ruled out with pneumonia, and Micallef hopped online “and called me a Plastic Gangster”.
Micallef, however, recounts things happening far differently then, and also this week. Asked about any potential confrontations between the pair, and the Aussie welterweight said: “Every time I’ve seen him he’s been quiet. We shook hands in Perth but this time he’s been quiet. Although even if you are loud before a fight, I’m going to punch your head in.” Roll on Sunday.
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