Alexander Volkanovski secured a commanding victory over Diego Lopes in a highly anticipated title rematch at UFC 325 in Sydney last weekend, extending his record in UFC featherweight title fights. Lerone Murphy recently offered his perspective on the bout, asserting that he would have succeeded where Lopes fell short. The Australian champion’s continued reign underscores his dominance in the division.
Volkanovski Outpoints Lopes to Strengthen Featherweight Legacy
At UFC 325, Alexander Volkanovski faced Diego Lopes for the second time in a rematch watched closely by fans and analysts alike. Over five competitive rounds, Volkanovski convincingly won by unanimous decision, marking his eighth title fight win in the featherweight division—tying the record held by UFC legend Jose Aldo. The victory further cements Volkanovski’s status as one of the top featherweight fighters in UFC history.
Lerone Murphy Voices Confidence in Potential Against Volkanovski
Lerone Murphy, an unbeaten contender in the featherweight ranks, shared his views on Volkanovski’s recent win during an interview with Ariel Helwani. Speaking thoughtfully, Murphy said he believed he would have “gotten the job done” had he been in Lopes’ position, emphasizing his respect for Volkanovski’s skill and achievements.
“I think everybody knew what was going to happen in that fight. To be fair, Diego made some adjustments… Volk’s just got his number… It wasn’t really like, ‘It should have been me,’ it was more, ‘How would I have dealt with that?’ and I really believe that Father Time catches up with everybody and I think if I was in there, I would have gotten the job done. That’s no disrespect to Volk, a great fighter, obviously on top for a reason.”
?Lerone Murphy, UFC Featherweight Contender
Murphy is rapidly rising through the featherweight division, maintaining an unblemished 17-0 record with one split draw. He is scheduled to fight Movsar Evloev at UFC London on March 21, a matchup that could determine the next challenger for Volkanovski’s title.
Volkanovski Identifies Potential Next Opponents
Following his triumph at UFC 325, Volkanovski revealed he is eyeing Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev as his upcoming opponents. In a post-fight discussion, he emphasized his intention to continue facing the top contenders in the featherweight class, seeking worthy challengers to test his championship reign.
“In the featherweight division, it’s gotta be the top guys. You know what I’m like, I want to fight the guys that deserve it. You’ve got Movsar [Evloev] and Lerone Murphy.”
?Alexander Volkanovski, UFC Featherweight Champion
“I’ve been told they’re going to face each other. I don’t know if those are just rumors, but that’ll be great. I’ll be watching that. If my next one is definitely featherweight, it’s gotta be one of those two.”
?Alexander Volkanovski, UFC Featherweight Champion
The potential clash between Murphy and Evloev will likely determine which contender earns the opportunity to challenge Volkanovski next. This scenario sets the stage for compelling matchups that could further define the featherweight landscape.
Volkanovski’s ability to maintain his dominance against top-tier challengers underscores his skill and resilience, while Murphy’s confidence and unbeaten streak make him a significant figure to watch. The upcoming fight between Murphy and Evloev is set to be pivotal for the division’s future. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how these developments unfold.
Lerone Murphy weighs in on Volk x Lopes 2 👀
“I think everybody knew what was going to happen in that fight.
It should have been me. I really believe that Father Time catches up with everybody, and I think if I was in there, I would have gotten the job done.
That’s no… pic.twitter.com/abdlA2TABg
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 2, 2026
https://twitter.com/paramountufc/status/2017832016939450767
