UFC 325 live weblog: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2

This is the UFC 325 live weblog for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2, the featherweight championship. main event Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Volkanovski (26-4), presently in his second reign as UFC featherweight champion, is tied for the No. 8 spot in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings. At 36, Volkanovski grew to become the oldest fighter to win the UFC’s 145-pound title when he defeated Lopes for a vacant belt at UFC 314 this past April; now 37, he can grow to be the oldest fighter to efficiently defend it. Volkanovski can also tie the nice Jose Aldo for the most featherweight championship wins (8) if he defeats Lopes again.

He’s not the title challenger most followers had been anticipating, however Lopes (27-7) is targeted on making the most of a second golden alternative. Lopes dispatched Jean Silva in September to maintain his title in the minds of the matchmakers and he now will get a shot at redemption and to grow to be considered one of the more unlikely champions in UFC historical past.

Check out the UFC 325 live weblog for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 below.

Preamble

This must be straightforward work for Alexander Volkanovski, taking up a dude it looks like he beat just yesterday. But The MMA Gods, they’re mischievous…

Walkouts

Always inform me the odds

Respect to the champ, a slight favourite at -162 on FanDuel. Lopes plus cash at +136.

Round 1

Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for the main event.

They’re working to determine the vary. Volkanovski circling, not letting Lopes reduce off the cage. Step-in physique kick from Lopes. Inside leg kick from Volkanovski. Quick takedown from Volkanovski, Lopes blocks it and hits a counter proper. Sneaky proper from Volkanovski. Looping left from Volkanovski scores. They’re displaying each other loads of respect, not overcommitting to any follow-ups.

Another inside leg kick from Volkanovski lands. He’s content to cut away at Lopes. Jab lands for Volkanovski. He will get deep on a takedown and appears for a visit, Lopes with a strong base. Little photographs inside by Volkanovski as he pushes Lopes against the fence. Lopes out of there with less than a minute to go.

Counter proper by Volkanovski, then a jab. He presses ahead with a jab and Lopes smiles. Solid start for the champ.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Volkanovski.

Round 2

Volkanovski circling, he’s letting Lopes come to him. Right hand from Volkanovski scores, adopted by a leg kick. Another inside leg kick lands as Lopes advances. There’s a tough low kick from Lopes. Poking jab from Volkanovski as he retains Lopes guessing. Lopes with a proper hand that places Volkanovski on the defensive. Flurry from Lopes, however Volkanovski evades. Right hand down the center by Lopes, then a strong leg kick.

Uppercut from Lopes, Volkanovski counters with a left hand. Volkanovski inside with a 1-2, he lets his fingers go and Lopes trades with him. Volkanovski lets a proper hand fly and connects. The speed of Volkanovski is so spectacular even at this stage of his profession. Left hook, proper hand by Volkanovski. He’s touchdown more.

Lopes with a late takedown try. Volkanovski jumps the gilly. Dustin Poirier could be proud. Lopes breaks it and just falls on top of him. He assaults Volkanovski’s again however there’s no time for a end.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Volkanovski. Overall, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Round 3

Lopes is smiling, undecided if he thinks he’s up on the playing cards? It has been shut.

Lopes with a glancing proper. He jabs Volkanovski’s physique. Leg kick from Lopes, Volkanovski solutions with a fast jab. Short 1-2 from Volkanovski permits him to take some area. Game of inches proper now. Right across the chin scores for the champion. Lopes breaks up a clinch with a high elbow. Volkanovski jabs as he takes a step again. Clean proper hand for Volkanovski, then another one, Lopes pays the value for taking a danger. Lopes has to defend as Volkanovski wrestles with him.

Volkanovski throws another correct proper. Lopes must get up right here. Glance up at the clock from Volkanovski, less than two minutes left before the championship rounds. Both fighters conserving their distance. Volkanovski with a proper, however Lopes lands a counter that drops Volkanovski to a knee. Immediate recovery, does that steal the round for Lopes? Not fairly on my card, however now we have intrigue heading into Round 4.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Volkanovski. Overall, 30-27 Volkanovski.

Round 4

Volkanovski’s nook was telling him he slipped, however replays clearly present that was a knockdown for Lopes.

The champ staying busy with the jab. Inside leg kick from Lopes. He scores with a physique kick. Counter proper from Volkanovski scores. Lopes just can’t see that shot coming. Right down the center from Volkanovski. At the desk, Daniel Cormier describes it as a delayed proper hand and that might be what’s throwing Lopes off.

Another zinging proper by Volkanovski scores. Left hook from Volkanovski. Lopes is working to make issues occur, however he’s getting the worst of these exchanges. Right hand will get via for Lopes. Jab on the nostril by Volkanovski. Less than two minutes to go and neither fighter is working away with it.

Loud “Volkanovski!” chant. Volkanovski with another counter proper. And there’s a low blow off a Volkanovski kick. Unfortunate.

Brief break they usually’re again at it with about a minute remaining. Volkanovski not biting on any of Lopes’ energy photographs. Jab from Volkanovski. Lopes rushes in with a left and solidly connects, however Volkanovski responds with a tough shot. Good scrap.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Volkanovski. Overall, 40-36 Volkanovski.

Round 5

Volkanovski staying evasive, he has to know he’s up on the playing cards. Takedown by Volkanovski, however Lopes instantly counters with a guillotine and Volkanovski has to get out of there. Nice knee by Lopes on the separation. Counter punch by Volkanovski right into a takedown and he desires to assault Lopes’ again. Great grappling protection by Lopes. Volkanovski not giving up as he powers Lopes to the fence. Lopes with an underhook, then a bodylock to reverse place. Big takedown for Lopes as he goes for Volkanovski’s again. They’re scrambling and rolling, battle of wills.

(*2*)

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UFC 325 live weblog: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2