Alexander Volkanovski retains his UFC featherweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Diego Lopes in a gruelling rematch at UFC 325 in Sydney.
SYDNEY: Alexander Volkanovski cemented his supremacy in the UFC featherweight division on Sunday. The Australian champion outlasted rival Diego Lopes in a gruelling rematch to defend his title.
In the main event of UFC 325, the 37-year-old defended his 145-pound belt with a unanimous decision. The judges scored the five-round slugfest 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45 in his favour.
A pumped-up Volkanovski basked in the adoration of the febrile 20,000-person crowd at Qudos Bank Arena. This was his first world title defence on Australian soil.
Volkanovski (28-4) continued his dominance over the 31-year-old Lopes (27-8). He also won by unanimous decision at UFC 314 last April in Miami, a triumph he rated as one of the best of his career.
“It ain’t getting any easier,” Volkanovski said. “You’ve got a young, hungry guy like that in there and I wanted to take him out but he was strong.”
Considered the greatest UFC featherweight of all time, Volkanovski entered as a warm favourite. He was wary of the younger opponent standing five inches taller.
Lopes decided to throw caution to the wind but was quickly forced into defence. Volkanovski attempted an early takedown against the fence.
Lopes worked his way back with effective leg kicks before landing a heavy right hook in the third round. The punch left Volkanovski rattled.
An indefatigable Volkanovski’s agility and relentless striking eventually wore down his flagging challenger. Lopes was unable to land a knockout in the final round.
Also on the main card, rising Frenchman Benoit Saint Denis pummelled New Zealand’s Dan Hooker. He secured a second-round technical knockout in the lightweight bout.
“I’m going to be champion. I’m ready,” said eighth-ranked Saint Denis. He clinched his fourth-straight victory with the win.
In the heavyweight bout, Brazilian Tallison Teixeira emerged victorious by unanimous decision. The result inflicted a sixth-straight defeat for Australian Tai Tuivasa.
