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Dana White announces Alexander Volkanovski’s next opponent and fight date

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Nov 27, 2025 8:30 PM ET

The UFC is set to put on back-to-back numbered events to kick off their Paramount+ deal.

On Thursday, Dana White announced the promotion’s huge plans for UFC 324, the first major event on the calendar for 2026.

However, the likes of Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje and Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes weren’t the only marquee matchups that were recently made official.

Every fight announced for UFC 324 so far

Fans reacted negatively to a report regarding Alexander Volkanovski’s first defense of the featherweight title that he won back earlier this year.

Following speculation, we now know who ‘The Great’ will be facing off with when he puts the 145 pound gold on the line in his home country of Australia.

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Alexander Volkanovski faces Diego Lopes in a featherweight title rematch at UFC 235

Dana White announced on Thursday that in the main event of UFC 325 in Sydney on January 31, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title in a rematch with Diego Lopes.

Volkanovski defeated Lopes via unanimous decision in one of the best title fights of 2025 back in April to win the vacant title.

Despite many believing that Lerone Murphy’s win over Aaron Pico would earn him the next shot, Lopes’ wild victory against Jean Silva in September also put his name back in the frame.

Volkanovski was seemingly targeting a fight with Murphy in December, calling it “a bit of a no-brainer” when sharing his reaction to the undefeated Brit’s statement win.

Alexander Volkanovski made it clear who he wanted to fight after UFC 319, and it was not Diego Lopes…

You couldn’t have scripted it any better. You get a guy who goes in and does a massive knockout like that on a big card, on a nine-fight win streak — I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer… Lerone Murphy, congratulations, see you soon.

Fans seemed to agree with ‘The Great’, making the case for why Murphy or Movsar Evloev are more deserving of the next title shot.

A rematch between Volkanovski and Lopes is sure to produce another entertaining title fight nonetheless.

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Lerone Murphy reacts after missing out on featherweight title shot

Lerone Murphy’s recent social media posts appeared to suggest that the UFC had given the next featherweight title shot to a different contender.

‘The Miracle’ knocked out Aaron Pico in August with one of the best finishes of the year to seemingly cement his spot as the next in line.

In a social media post following the official announcement of Volkanovski vs Lopes 2, Murphy posted the following reaction on X.

“Missing the opportunity to fight one of featherweights GOATs is what hurts me the most. It’s not about who’s the best anymore. It’s about who’s most popular.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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