TLDR
- Max Holloway predicts Alexander Volkanovski will defeat Diego Lopes in their UFC 325 featherweight title rematch
- Holloway, who lost three times to Volkanovski, cites the champion’s high-level experience as the deciding factor
- Volkanovski won their first meeting at UFC 314 in April by unanimous decision to reclaim the title
- The rematch takes place January 31, 2026, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia
- Holloway is currently training to defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 on March 7
Sources: Yardbarker | BJ Penn
Max Holloway has shared his prediction for the upcoming UFC 325 featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. The former champion believes Volkanovski will successfully defend his title when the two meet in Sydney, Australia.
Holloway, who has faced Volkanovski three times and lost all three bouts, cited the champion’s high-level experience as the deciding factor. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Holloway explained his reasoning for picking the Australian fighter.
“I feel like Alex has something we don’t know because Alex has been going around saying he’s gonna make this fight look super easy,” Holloway said. “I think he wants to turn around quick and fight.”
The 34-year-old fighter emphasized that while he respects Lopes as a competitor, Volkanovski’s overall experience gives him the edge. “Diego is an animal, don’t get me wrong. Diego is sick, he’s an animal,” Holloway explained.
Max Holloway: Diego Lopes an animal, but Alexander Volkanovski wins #UFC325 rematch https://t.co/9D1Z4pfmbJ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 30, 2026
Volkanovski Won First Meeting by Decision
Volkanovski and Lopes first fought at UFC 314 in Miami last April. The Australian fighter won that bout by unanimous decision to reclaim the featherweight championship.
That victory marked the beginning of Volkanovski’s second reign as the 145-pound champion. The rematch is scheduled to take place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on January 31, 2026.
Holloway acknowledged the challenger’s skills but remained firm in his prediction. “At the end of the day, I can’t go against Alex,” he said. “I’m leaning towards Alex just because of his overall experience.”
Few fighters in the division know Volkanovski’s abilities better than Holloway does. Their three-fight series has given Holloway unique insight into the champion’s fighting style and preparation.
Holloway Preparing for BMF Title Defense
While analyzing the upcoming title fight, Holloway is currently focused on his own training camp. He is preparing to defend his BMF title for the first time against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 on March 7.
The matchup with Oliveira represents a rematch from their 2015 encounter at UFC Saskatchewan. Holloway won that fight by TKO after Oliveira suffered a neck injury just over 90 seconds into the bout.
Oliveira faced heavy criticism after that fight, with fans booing and calling him a quitter. More than a decade later, the Brazilian fighter will have a chance to even the score.
The UFC 325 event will be broadcast on Paramount+, marking only the second time the streaming service has hosted a UFC main event. The card also features Dan Hooker versus Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event.
Betting lines for the Volkanovski-Lopes rematch have shown interesting movement since opening. Volkanovski opened as a -166 favorite but the line has shortened as the fight approaches, with public money coming in on both fighters.
