Is the UFC a Sport or a Popularity Contest? Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Fight Gives Us the Answer
In the wild world of the UFC, where meritocracy is supposed to be king, we often get matchups that make us collectively scratch our heads and ask, “Wait, what?” The latest head-scratcher comes from the featherweight division, where Alexander Volkanovski is slated for an immediate rematch against Diego Lopes at UFC 325. If you’re thinking, “Didn’t Volkanovski just decisively beat this guy?” you’re not alone. Even Volk’s own camp is raising an eyebrow.
It seems the UFC’s matchmaking department has been throwing darts at a board again, and this time they landed on a fight that has the MMA community—and even those closest to the champ—baffled. Alexander Volkanovski’s coach, Joe Lopez, recently broke his silence on the matter, and his comments were less “excited for the challenge” and more “well, this is awkward.”
The Rematch Nobody Asked For
Let’s be real for a second. The first fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes back in April wasn’t exactly a nail-biter. It was a one-sided affair where Volkanovski reminded everyone why he’s been at the top of the division for so long, cruising to a clear-cut unanimous decision. There were no controversial scorecards, no last-second drama, no “what if” moments. It was, for all intents and purposes, a settled score.
So, when the UFC announced they were running it back, the collective groan from fans was almost audible. Why are we doing this again? According to Coach Lopez, his team was just as surprised as the rest of us. Speaking on Submission Radio, he laid it all out, confirming that they were gearing up for a completely different fight.
“We thought it was going to be either Movsar or Murphy,” Lopez said, referring to top contenders Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, both of whom are undefeated and have been tearing through the division. “All indications led to Murphy until Diego had his spectacular KO, and everything changed.”
And change it did. Suddenly, the logical next steps were thrown out the window. The UFC, in its infinite wisdom, decided that Lopes’s recent knockout win over Jean Silva was enough to leapfrog him over more deserving contenders for a second shot at the gold. It feels less like a strategic booking and more like a knee-jerk reaction to a highlight-reel moment.
Is Popularity Trumping Performance for Volkanovski?
Coach Lopez didn’t mince his words when it came to the politics of the fight game. “It’s always been a bit of a popularity contest, who is the most popular,” he admitted, echoing a sentiment that many fans have felt for years. “Whether it is a Paramount deal, I don’t know. There have been a lot of negotiations behind the scenes, but at the end of the day, they are the ones calling the shots.”
This is the part that stings the most for purists of the sport. We want to believe that the path to a title shot is paved with consistent, high-level wins against top-ranked opponents. But this booking suggests that a flashy knockout and a bit of buzz can be a shortcut.
“I know the fans are not happy,” Lopez continued. “No disrespect to Diego, but like I said, when your last fight, when you beat him, and it wasn’t like it was a close fight, it was very one-sided.
Why not give Murphy or Movsar a go?”
It’s a fair question, and one the UFC hasn’t bothered to answer. Both Evloev (19-0) and Murphy (17-0-1) have done everything asked of them. They’ve stayed undefeated, beaten ranked opponents, and patiently waited for their turn. To see them get snubbed for a rematch that has zero competitive intrigue feels like a slap in the face not just to them, but to the very idea of a rankings system. It’s a tough pill to swallow, knowing that two killers are being left on the sidelines because the UFC seemingly wants to capitalize on a fleeting moment of hype.
