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Volkanovski Defeats Lopes at UFC 325, Calls Out Evloev; Lopes Sidelined with Foot Fractures

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UFC 325 & UFC London: Featherweight Division Reshuffles

Alexander Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes by unanimous decision at UFC 325, then set his sights on undefeated contender Movsar Evloev—who subsequently won a title eliminator at UFC London.

Fight Details at UFC 325

Main Event

Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight title against Lopes in a five-round bout in Sydney. The judges scored the contest 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45 in favor of Volkanovski. Both fighters successfully made weight, with Volkanovski at 65.54 kg and Lopes at 65.77 kg. Volkanovski received a US$100,000 Fight of the Night bonus.

Pre-Fight Injury to Volkanovski

Joe Lopez, Volkanovski's head coach, revealed four weeks before the event that Volkanovski had sustained a serious shoulder injury. Lopez stated that withdrawing from the fight was a significant consideration for the team. Despite the injury, Volkanovski completed the fight and the performance did not visibly indicate any hindrance.

Post-Fight Injuries to Lopes

Following the bout, Lopes was transported to a hospital. Initial diagnoses suggested potential breaks in both feet, which were confirmed by subsequent tests. Lopes' medical team indicated that surgery was not required and that he would use boots and crutches for several weeks. A specific timeline for his return to training was not provided.

Fighter Reactions and Analysis

Alexander Volkanovski

"A second victory over Lopes serves as an opportunity to reassert my position in the featherweight division."

Volkanovski indicated a preference for a quick turnaround after the fight. Regarding his career, he stated he was not rushing toward retirement.

Expert Analysis

Opinions on the fight were divided among MMA analysts and former fighters:

  • Dustin Poirier predicted a Volkanovski decision, citing his overall skill.
  • Din Thomas predicted a Lopes TKO, suggesting Lopes' power could create problems.
  • Anthony Smith predicted a Lopes KO, arguing Lopes is younger and has had more time to make adjustments.
  • Michael Chiesa predicted a Volkanovski decision, acknowledging Lopes' potential for improvement but backing Volkanovski's experience.

Future Opponent Discussions

Movsar Evloev

Following the event, Volkanovski stated that Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy were the primary contenders for his next fight, noting they were scheduled to fight each other.

Jean Silva

Brazilian fighter Jean Silva issued a challenge to Volkanovski via social media. Silva stated he planned to train with UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria to prepare for a potential matchup. Volkanovski attributed Silva's challenge to a perceived issue regarding Mauricio Ruffy, a teammate of Silva's, training with Team Volkanovski.

UFC London: Evloev vs. Murphy

Main Event Result

Movsar Evloev defeated Lerone Murphy by majority decision at UFC London on March 21, 2026, at the O2 Arena.

The judges scored the bout 48-46, 48-46, and 47-47. Evloev extended his undefeated professional record to 20-0. The fight served as a No. 1-contender bout in the featherweight division.

Fight Summary

Evloev controlled early rounds with striking. In Round 3, he incorporated grappling, securing a brief takedown. In Round 4, referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Evloev for a second accidental groin kick. Evloev then increased his wrestling offense, achieving multiple takedowns and maintaining control. In the fifth round, Evloev maintained a high pace, securing additional takedowns and delivering ground-and-pound. Murphy responded with scrambles, submission attempts, and counter-strikes. Murphy indicated a hip injury to his corner during the fight.

Post-Fight Reactions

Following his 10th UFC win, Evloev requested a title shot against Volkanovski. Volkanovski responded publicly:

"Evloev should be my next opponent. I'm ready to face a dominant wrestler."

Volkanovski indicated a preference for a fight in July or August.

Other UFC London Results

  • Luke Riley defeated Michael Aswell by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
  • Brandon Pericic defeated Louie Sutherland by first-round knockout.
  • Iwo Baraniewski and Shanelle Dyer received Performance of the Night bonuses.
  • Mason Jones vs. Axel Sola received Fight of the Night honors.

Cancelled Bout

The scheduled bantamweight bout between Luana Carolina and Melissa Mullins was cancelled after Carolina missed weight, registering at 144 pounds for a 135-pound fight. This marked Carolina's third time missing weight in the UFC.