Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes met for the second time in the main event of UFC 325 on Saturday.
Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, had regained his title in the pair’s first meeting last year. That had happened after Ilia Topuria had dethroned the Australian, then vacated his title and moved up to lightweight.
Although Volkanovski had not fought since the victory over Lopes, Diego himself had returned with a finish of Jean Silva at Noche UFC in September to secure another shot at gold.
There was no bad blood leading up to this match, just two fighters at the top of their game facing each other. To start, they touched gloves while Lopes bounced on his heels.
The first action in the main event of UFC 325 that was at least of any significance was a body kick from Lopes about a minute later. Even that seemed to have a light touch. Champion Volkanovski often changed his position, leaving Lopes guessing. He landed a takedown, but Lopes easily pushed it away. The pair exchanged leg kicks and Volkanovski went to the body. However, much of what was thrown in the opening minutes was missing. A few brief exchanges saw both fighters land, but neither did much damage.
At least Alexander Volkanovski was on his feet early and opted to pursue another takedown. Lopes was able to stay upright, back to the fence. The champion mixed in a few punches on top, and another after the break. Lopes would land a right hand in the final minute, but Volkanovski came right back with a shot of his own.
After a very exciting first round, Volkanovski saw his position change again in the second of a total of five rounds. Lopes closed the distance and Volk fired a leg kick. He kept hitting Lopes with those leg kicks, and while not all of them were super heavy, in a close fight every punch mattered. The pair then exchanged harder kicks as Volkanovski spun around. Lopes closed the distance and hit the body, but couldn’t follow up. More kick exchanges, with Lopes gaining the upper hand on at least one. He then lunged forward and fired an uppercut, but Volkanovski landed in response. Lopes then landed a counter. This was followed by a right hand from the champion, which drew an immediate response from the ground.
In the final minute, Lopes closed for a takedown and Volkanovski defended with a guillotine. He jumped right in, with 35 seconds left on the clock! He wasn’t having it and instead ended up on his back with Diego Lopes on guard. The champion worked again immediately; Lopes shifted to his back and looked for a rear naked choke but didn’t have one.
Two close rounds. In the third, Diego Lopes became a little busier. Both were still working on the kicks. However, it was Volkanovski who had the first big moment of the round, landing a right hand. He followed, opening up a little, another right hand, a better one, connecting. The champion then attempted a takedown, and another second, but Lopes managed to stop those attempts. Volkanovski then missed a few big punches, swinging hard but hitting air. Just as Volkanovski seemed to be sailing, he charged forward and paid for it, eating and momentarily dropping a short right hand. He got right back up and didn’t appear to be injured, but it could have been enough to regain a lap that had clearly led the champion.
Round four saw Volkanovski outside first; he soon enough found a home for his right hand. Lopes had his left hand tense as he attacked with kicks. The champion, despite the warning signs, actually circled into Lope’s power hand. Both men got airborne during a pair of exchanges; Volkanovski hit a right and then a left with just under two minutes left. Unfortunately, Volk then landed a low kick and immediately apologized when the action was stopped. Volkanovski himself reacted to the foul as soon as it landed, knowing he had been off target.
On the restart, Lopes tried to get close, but it was Volkanovski who was clipped on the way in.
It looked like Lopes had put a foot in some danger to start round five, and he tried to protect it while keeping it well behind him. Volkanovski took advantage of Lopes’ labored movement to execute an easy takedown, but Lopes got right back up. Moments later, Volkanovski regained control of the fight, but Lopes got back to his feet and after some more wrestling they went down, with Lopes taking the back in a scramble. Volkanovski got back up and carried Lopes, who was standing against the fence. Lopes slipped and fell for a double leg as Volkanovski landed elbows. Time was running out. Volkanovski turned around. The champion was looking for a trip. Not happening. They were going to go down, but Lopes defended with a kimura and then transitioned to an arm bar.
Volkanovski stacked it. Lopes didn’t have the room to turn around and go belly down. Vokanovski settled into a North-South position on top and fired off a pair of hammerfists, albeit from an awkward angle. Lopes put up a good fight, but Alexander Volkanovski did a little more and ended up in side control, landing a few final blows! It was the old Volkanovski, who rarely got into trouble in battle other than one brief moment.
Official result: Alexander Volkanovski defeated. Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
#Vintage #people #Alexander #Volkanovski #defeats #Diego #Lope #UFC #main #event