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UFC 325 Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 results, highlights

VOLKANOVSKI RETAINS THE BELT. The champ gets the job done in front of his hometown crowd, via unanimous decision (49-46,49-46,50-45).

Round 5: Lopes is significantly picking up the tempo here, trying to engage the champ but, early on, it’s ineffective. There’s always the hint of danger, though and Lopes links a jab with a takedown. Volkanovski returns to his feet and immediately takes the challenger down, although it looks more like putting his weight on Lopes back rather than a real attempt. Then Lopes does the same. Both fighters return to their feet and, with a minute left, Volkanovski is just sitting on Lopes’ chest and raining down punches while egging the crowd on. Mental behaviour and that’ll be ballgame, if you’re a fan of mixed metaphors. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 49-46

Round 4: Lopes controls the middle, Volkanovski circles, left jab, back out of range. Lopes is still making contact on his shots, just not to their potential. His left eye is starting to significantly swell. Late in the frame, Lopes attempts to walk the champ down and cops a straight right for his troubles. Yet his reaction is minimal. An accidental low blow temporarily pauses proceedings with 55 seconds left and, after the first real back-and-forth exchange with 15 seconds to go, the horn sounds and we’re off to the final round. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 39-37

Round 3: Both fighters are far more willing to trade yet no-one is getting much work in u til Volkanovski lands massive right hand in the third minute. Lopes barely reacts and it was flush. Volkanovski circles back out of danger with both fighters staying at range and switching stances until, with 30 seconds left, Volk slips (maybe? It was hard to tell in real time but there didn’t appear to be contact) and quickly jumps back up. EDIT: Lopes got him on the chin and dropped him. That was quick. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 29-28

Round 2: Volkanovski begins round two circling the challenger, with work being directed at Lopes’ lead leg. At this early stage, it seems lead leg kicks, left jabs and getting the heck out of dodge when a Lopes bombs is about to be dropped is the game plan. It’s working well. Lopes catches Volkanovski with a jab and the champ’s eye immediately swells. The duo then trade half-in submissions and we’re off to round 3. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 20-18

Round 1: Both fighters tentative in the opening minutes with Volkanovski staying at range, throwing feints and lopes content to do the same. The action is coming in flurries with the champ potentially getting the best of the brief action. A late takedown attempt from Volkanovski is defended and the round ends with the champing circling Lopes, planting two consecutive jabs right on the snout. SN Unofficial scorecard: Volkanovski 10-9

3:25pm AEDT: Bruce has entered the Octagon. See you on the other side.

3:02pm AEDT: To borrow some local parlance, this place will be wildly oscillating between feral and berko when Men at Work’s “Land Down Under” kicks in. The wait is almost over.

3:00pm AEDT: Saint-Denis ends it early and Captain New Zealand ends up on the wrong end of a TKO. And now we wait.

2:40pm AEDT: With Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Dan Hooker underway, we’re edging ever closer to the main event and it can’t come fast enough. Qudos Bank Arena is a loud, potentially structurally-impacted arena right now.

UFC 325 Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 fight card and results

Main Card

Alex Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes for the UFC Featherweight title

Benoit Saint-Denis def. Dan Hooker (via TKO)

Rafael Fiziev def. by Mauricio Ruffy (via TKO)

Tai Tuivasa def. by Tallison Teixeira (unanimous decision)

Quillan Salkilled def. Jamie Mullarkey (via submission)

Prelims

Junior Tafa def. by Billy Elekana (via submission)

Cam Rowston def. Cody Brundage (via TKO)

Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney (via unanimous decision)

Jonathan Micaellef def. Oban Elliott (via submission)