LAS VEGAS – Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes squared up for the first time Friday in advance of their UFC 325 featherweight title rematch.
To the outcry of many fans and divisional contenders, the first defense of Volkanovski’s (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) second 145-pound title reign will come against Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC), whom he just beat for the vacant belt in April, in the Jan. 31 headliner at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
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Although it was an action-heavy fight the first time around, Volkanovski won a clear unanimous decision over Lopes. The UFC opted to run the rematch after Lopes bounced back with a thrilling TKO finish of Jean Silva in September.
Promotion for the sequel kicked off at the “IT’S ON” seasonal UFC press conference in Las Vegas, and after taking questions, Volkanovski and Lopes engaged in a faceoff, in which the size disparity was on display again.
Check out the video above to watch the UFC 325 main event staredown.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 325 video: Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes face off for rematch