If Alexander Volkanovski got his way, Diego Lopes wouldn’t be getting the title shot.
There has been a mixed reaction to Dana White’s latest round of UFC fight announcements — to say the least.
UFC President had already created enough controversy by announcing that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett would headline UFC 324, with the interim lightweight title at stake. This decision is a blow to Arman Tsarukyan. He was not the only one who missed out.
White also confirmed a controversial rematch between Volkanovski and Lopes for UFC 325 in Sydney, with the promotion favoring the Mexican’s second title shot over the likes of Lerone Murphy.
The UFC featherweight champ is among those who are not happy with the decision.
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Alexander Volkanovski says UFC chose Diego Lopes against his preference.
After Volkanovski’s victory over Lopes in UFC 314, it looked like the undefeated Murphy would be next after his elbow-spinning knockout of Aaron Pico this past August in Chicago.
That was clearly the champ’s preference, as he labeled a fight with ‘The Miracle’ as a “no-brainer”To book the UFC.
Volkanovski’s two featherweight titles and his leading position as a contender for the GOAT title in this division are not enough to influence his opponent.
“We all know that I wanted to fight earlier. I thought it was going to be December — Lerone Murphy in December,” Volkanovski said in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel after White’s announcement.
“Then they (the UFC) were saying Lopes. Obviously, we were like, ‘We just fought that guy? Is there more deserving people?’ Whatever, everyone knows that I’ll fight anyone.
“Whoever they put in front of me, I’ll do. But, you know, there was them questions there,”He continued. “Obviously, again, I thought Movsar was deserving, Lerone Murphy. I thought it was the two of them. UFC wanted Lopes, but they didn’t really want him.
“Movsar and Lerone, they are more deserving…but it is what it is. Whoever they put in front of me, let’s go.”
Diego Lopes makes a defiant declaration against critics of controversial Alexander Volkanovski Rematch
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2025-11-28 18:00:00
