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UFC returns to Sydney in 2026 with blockbuster main event for UFC 325

Kieran Francis

UFC returns to Sydney in 2026 with blockbuster main event for UFC 325 image

The UFC will return to Sydney in 2026 with Australian star Alex Volkanovski headlining UFC 325.

Volkanovski is booked in for a rematch against Diego Lope on February 1 at Qudos Bank Arena in the Harbour City, the fighter he defeated at UFC 314 in a unanimous decision victory to snare the featherweight title.

It will be the first time Volkanovski will fight in Australia since he lost against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth back in February 2023.

Along with the Sydney UFC announcement, UFC boss Dana White also revealed UFC 324 - held a week before the Australian event - will feature an interim lightweight title bout between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.

MORE: UFC 322 full card results: Islam Makhachev wins more gold, Valentina Shevchenko retains in dominant fashion

Volkanovski will be hoping for a repeat of his victory over Lopes at April 2025's UFC 314 in Miami, with scorecards of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in the unanimous decision win.

The Australian landed significantly more strikes than the Brazilian - 158 to 63 - and withstood a fight-back from Lopes in the fourth round.

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Lopes had won six consecutive featherweight bouts before the April loss to Volkanovski and won his most recent fight against Jean Silva by TKO.

Two undefeated contenders in the featherweight division, Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, were also contenders to score a fight against Volkanovski but missed out as the Lopes rematch was preferred.

UFC 325 Sydney details - When, where

UFC 325 will be held in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday February 1.

It will be the seventh time the UFC has hosted an event in the Harbour City.

Senior Editor