SYDNEY: Australian Alexander Volkanovski cemented his supremacy within the UFC featherweight division on Sunday after once more outlasting rival Diego Lopes in a gruelling rematch in Sydney.
In the principle occasion of UFC 325, the 37-year-old defended his 145-pound belt with a unanimous choice (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to prevail in a five-round slugfest.
A pumped-up Volkanovski, a former rugby league participant, basked within the adoration of the febrile 20,000-person crowd at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment in his first world title defence on Australian soil.
Volkanovski (28-4) continued his dominance over 31-year-old Lopes (27-8) having additionally received by a unanimous choice at UFC 314 final April in Miami, a triumph he rated as one of many absolute best of his legendary profession.
“It ain’t getting any simpler,” Volkanovski mentioned. “You’ve got bought a younger, hungry man like that in there, and I needed to take him out, however he was robust.
“I did not wish to stand for 25 minutes, I will be trustworthy, however we bought the job completed.”
Volkanovski made his ring stroll to the traditional Australian track “Down Beneath” with the partisan crowd firmly in his nook, together with Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh.
Thought of the best UFC featherweight of all time, Volkanovski entered as a heat favorite, however was cautious of the youthful opponent standing 5 inches taller.
There was intrigue over whether or not heavy-hitting Lopes would change technique and take a extra cautious strategy towards the canny Volkanovski.
Lopes determined to throw warning to the wind, however was shortly compelled into defence with Volkanovski making an attempt a takedown towards the fence.
Lopes labored his method again with efficient leg kicks earlier than touchdown a heavy proper hook within the third spherical that left Volkanovski rattled.
However an indefatigable Volkanovski’s agility and relentless hanging ultimately wore down his flagging challenger, who was unable to land a knockout within the remaining spherical.
Additionally on the principle card, rising Frenchman Benoit Saint Denis pummelled New Zealand’s Dan Hooker with a second-round technical knockout within the light-weight.
“I will be champion. I am prepared,” mentioned eighth-ranked Saint Denis, who clinched his fourth-straight victory.
Within the heavyweight bout, Brazilian Tallison Teixeira emerged victorious after an unanimous choice inflicted a sixth-straight defeat for Australian Tai Tuivasa.
