The UFC 325 event is scheduled for January 31 in Australia, headlined by a featherweight title bout between champion Alexander Volkanovski and challenger Diego Lopes. While the matchup catches the eye, there has been notable dissatisfaction among fight fans who question the choice of Lopes for a second title shot less than a year after losing the belt to Volkanovski. Additionally, other top featherweight contenders such as Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, both undefeated with significant wins, seem overlooked despite Evloev’s prior victory over Lopes. This has fueled ongoing debate about the event’s overall appeal.
Concerns Over the Underwhelming Card Beyond Main Event
Beyond the headline fight, UFC 325’s roster has drawn criticism for lacking star power and compelling matchups. There are some well-regarded lightweight fights, including Dan Hooker versus Benoit Saint Denis and Rafael Fiziev facing Mauricio Ruffy. However, the card was further weakened when a key light heavyweight matchup between Jimmy Crute and Dustin Jacoby was canceled on short notice. This reduction in strong bouts has left many fans disenchanted with the event’s depth and competitive significance.
Dana White Responds Firmly to Critics of UFC 325
Despite the widespread critique, UFC President Dana White showed no intentions of adjusting the card to appease detractors. His message to dissatisfied viewers is straightforward.
“If you don’t like it, don’t watch it,”
White stated in an interview with Complex.
On the specific issue of Diego Lopes receiving a title shot ahead of Evloev and Murphy, White explained that the fight simply aligned with what the matchmakers had determined.
“It was just the fight that made sense,”
White said.
“We get in that [matchmaking] room and we start putting s**t together.”
“It should be a good fight,”
he added, defending the chosen bout despite fan skepticism.
Complete UFC 325 Fight Card Details
The full lineup for UFC 325 is as follows:
145 lbs.: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 (featherweight title bout)
155 lbs.: Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis
155 lbs.: Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy
205 lbs.: Jimmy Crute vs. Dustin Jacoby
265 lbs.: Tallison Teixeira vs. Tai Tuivasa
155 lbs.: Quillan Salkilld vs. Rong Zhu
265 lbs.: Ante Delija vs. Serghei Spivac
170 lbs.: Oban Elliott vs. Jonathan Micallef
145 lbs.: Kaan Ofli vs. Yi Zha
205 lbs.: Billy Elekana vs. Junior Tafa
185 lbs.: Cody Brundage vs. Cam Rowston
185 lbs.: Torrez Finney vs. Jacob Malkoun
155 lbs.: Dom Mar Fan vs. Kim Sang-wook
145 lbs.: Keiichiro Nakamura vs. Sebastian Szalay
135 lbs.: Sulang Rangbo vs. Lawrence Lui
125 lbs.: Namsrai Batbayar vs. Aaron Tau
Significance of the Criticism and What to Expect Next
The disappointment from UFC fans highlights rising tensions as competitive matchups and recognized contenders fail to secure title shots or meaningful positions on fight cards. Dana White’s blunt dismissal signals the UFC’s willingness to move forward without bending to public pressure, risking viewer dissatisfaction ahead of UFC 325. The response may influence future matchmaking decisions and fan engagement, especially as contenders like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy wait in the wings. How the card performs on fight night could shape conversations about the UFC’s approach to championship opportunities and event quality moving forward.
Regarding other controversial topics, Dana White also commented on the widely talked-about boxing event between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, saying,
“Everybody that was involved in that thing should be embarrassed”
– Dana White, UFC President
