Alexander Volkanovski’s roster position is secured by a new contract, and Diego Lopes has signaled a possible move up in weight — changes that reshape both fighters’ immediate plans. 9: 00 a. m. ET — Volkanovski signed a new UFC contract after Ufc 325, and Lopes spoke about his loss in an interview.
Alexander Volkanovski’s new contract secures his standing after Ufc 325
Volkanovski signed a fresh UFC contract after Ufc 325, the move that formalizes his continued status with the promotion and undercuts short-term questions about his next steps. The signing follows a lopsided rematch win over Diego Lopes at the end of January for the featherweight title, leaving Volkanovski positioned under the new deal.
Diego Lopes signals lightweight move after Ufc 325 loss
Diego Lopes said he is at peace with the loss and has hinted at potentially moving up to lightweight, a shift that would change his opponent pool and career path. Lopes told Hablemos MMA in Spanish that he has no regrets, that he believes he gave his best, and that the defeat dropped his pro record to 27-8.
What happened inside the UFC 325 rematch that shaped both men’s next steps
The rematch at the end of January for the featherweight belt ended with Volkanovski cruising to a lopsided win; Lopes said he did more in the rematch than in their first meeting. Lopes noted specific fight details: he landed roughly the same number of strikes as Volkanovski — 168 to 169, he said — he scored a takedown, locked in a submission attempt, and repeatedly kicked until he ‘‘destroyed’’ his feet, yet Volkanovski defended well and pulled away in the fifth round during scrambles.
Still, Lopes framed the result as a clear measure of Volkanovski’s fight intelligence. He acknowledged criticism from fans but said the team made the adjustments they could, listing takedowns, submissions, angle cuts and extensive kicking as parts of a complete effort that nevertheless fell short.
For Volkanovski, the new contract runs as the immediate material consequence of the win; for Lopes, the most tangible outcome is a possible divisional move and a 27-8 record that will shape matchmaking. More details about either fighter’s next scheduled bout are not confirmed as of 9: 00 a. m. ET. If Lopes follows through on his hint to move to lightweight, he would shift divisions and appear in bout announcements under the new weight class in forthcoming fight cards.
