The UFC has officially announced a highly anticipated rematch between featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, set to be the main event at UFC 325 in Australia. This fight is scheduled for January 31, with the event taking place locally in Sydney on February 1. The rematch comes after Volkanovski previously defeated Lopes in a five-round battle at UFC 314 back in April.
Lopes, however, managed to bounce back from that loss with a decisive second-round TKO victory over Jean Silva in September, reclaiming some momentum. Still, the matchup between Volkanovski and Lopes has stirred up controversy among MMA fans and fighters alike, especially considering that two other featherweight contenders, Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, are still undefeated. Evloev has not competed in 2025 due to injury, but Murphy was rumored to be the next challenger for Volkanovski’s title. Both fighters voiced their opinions on social media after the announcement.
Lerone Murphy expressed his frustration, stating, 'Missing the opportunity to fight one of the featherweight GOATs is what hurts me the most.' He added, 'It’s not about who’s the best anymore; it’s about who’s most popular,' highlighting a common debate about rankings versus marketability in MMA.
In the division rankings, Lopes sits comfortably at No. 2, whereas Evloev and Murphy hold the No. 1 and No. 4 spots respectively. Evloev responded to White’s announcement by offering Murphy a chance to face him, saying, 'Leon Murphy, I will give you the opportunity to fight the No. 1 contender. Tell your team you're ready to fight me on the same card as the championship.'
Looking ahead, the UFC is set to kick off 2026 with a series of major numbered events. UFC 324 has already been announced for January 24, featuring a women’s bantamweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison, along with Justin Gaethje versus Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. This lineup promises an exciting start to the new year, but it also raises questions about how fighters are selected for title shots and whether popularity influences the matchmaking process more than merit.
