Diego Lopes expects to finish Alexander Volkanovski in championship rematch

Diego Lopes learned a lot in his first chance at a UFC title against Alexander Volkanovski, but realized he was missing one important element he plans to make sure he remembers ahead of his second opportunity.

Lopes challenges Volkanovski for the featherweight title in a rematch at UFC 325, which takes place Jan. 31 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The card streams live on Paramount+.

In their first meeting for a vacant belt at UFC 324 this past April, Volkanovski became a two-time champion by earning a unanimous decision in a fun fight. Speaking with Main Event TV, Lopes believes he’ll have to finish Volkanovski, especially with Volkanovski competing in front of a home crowd.

“Bro, I’m fighting in [enemy territory], you know,” Lopes said. “I need to finish this fight [with] a submission, knockout… this is my goal. My goal is to finish him.”

Volkanovski faces Lopes in back-to-back fights, while Lopes earned a second chance with an incredible stoppage win over Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC this past September in San Antonio.

Making his ninth appearance in the octagon, Lopes has become a fan favorite, announcing his arrival when he dropped a competitive decision in a short-notice bout with the undefeated Movsar Evloev at UFC 288 in May 2023. After winning five straight fights, including victories over Dan Ige and Brian Ortega, Lopes earned the right to fight for the belt vacated by Ilia Topuria, who made the move up to lightweight to chase a second championship.

Now, Lopes feels he can fight more freely, which is something he truly missed in the first matchup.

“This time now, I think it’s different,” Lopes explained. “I’m more [loose], I don’t have the pressure. I think the first time fought Volk, I only tried to finish him with one big punch. I forgot many things in [that] fight. And I forgot the best thing in my life: Enjoy the moment.

“If the people see the video before the fight… I’m so serious. The people [who] know me, I’m never serious. [I always] smile, [always] joking with different people. So this time, I’ll just enjoy the moment. I’ll just enjoy the moment… and then I enjoy the moment, I’m the most dangerous guy in the division.”