TLDR
- Diego Lopes broke both feet during his UFC 325 loss to Alexander Volkanovski on Jan. 31, 2026
- Lopes was hospitalized for CT scans and imaging after the five-round championship fight in Sydney
- This was Lopes’ second loss to Volkanovski in 10 months, losing via unanimous decision
- Three fighters total were transported to hospitals after UFC 325, including Dan Hooker and Oban Elliott
- No timeline has been announced for Lopes’ recovery or return to competition
Sources: MMA Fighting | MMA Mania | HITC | BJPenn.com
Diego Lopes was taken to a Sydney hospital for emergency treatment after his UFC 325 loss to Alexander Volkanovski, with his team confirming he broke both feet during the five-round championship bout. The Brazilian featherweight was one of three fighters transported to medical facilities following the Jan. 31, 2026 event at Qudos Bank Arena.
Lopes’ manager Jason House revealed the extent of the injuries on Instagram Stories following the fight. “Looks like we broke both feet,” House wrote. “Some nights you’re at the after party, some nights you’re at the ER.”
The injuries occurred during the 25-minute rematch between Lopes and Volkanovski. Late in the fight, Lopes threw a kick and visibly limped afterward, though the exact moment both feet were broken remains unclear.
Lopes was transported for precautionary CT scans of his head and face in addition to imaging on his feet. He limped backstage after leaving the octagon, according to reports from the venue.
Diego Lopes says he broke both of his feet during the fight 😨 pic.twitter.com/iQQ9yunzaq
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 1, 2026
Second Loss to Champion Volkanovski
The 31-year-old Lopes was competing for UFC gold for the second time in his career. Volkanovski defeated him via unanimous decision with scorecards reading 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.
This marked the second time in 10 months that Volkanovski has beaten Lopes. The Australian champion first defeated the Brazilian contender in April 2025.
Lopes earned his rematch by scoring a spinning back elbow knockout over Jean Silva in September 2025. That victory came during a five-fight winning streak that positioned him as the No. 2-ranked featherweight.
Volkanovski controlled the rematch using superior footwork and movement throughout the fight. The champion landed effective counter strikes whenever Lopes became aggressive.
Lopes managed only one brief moment of success with a flash knockdown late in the fight. The knockdown stunned Volkanovski but didn’t change the outcome of the bout.
In his post-fight interview with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Lopes explained what went wrong. “I think Volkanovski is one of the best guys in the division for this,” Lopes said. “He made a lot of things round-by-round.”
Other Fighters Hospitalized from UFC 325
UFC officials confirmed that three fighters total were transported to hospitals for precautionary evaluation after UFC 325. Dan Hooker was sent for CT scans of his head and face following his second-round TKO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event.
This marked the second consecutive fight that Hooker has been hospitalized following a loss. “The Hangman” is now on a two-fight losing streak after previously winning three straight fights.
Oban Elliott was also transported for a precautionary CT scan after being choked unconscious by Jonathan Micallef. Elliott is now on a two-fight losing streak after opening his UFC career with three straight victories.
Lopes now holds a 6-3 record inside the UFC Octagon. He has gone 1-2 in his last three outings after the two losses to Volkanovski.
No timeline has been announced for how long Lopes will be out of action. If both feet are confirmed broken, he could face a lengthy recovery period before returning to competition.
Despite the hospital visit and injuries, House noted his fighter maintained a positive attitude. “But every morning I give thanks for the opportunity to live this life with my best friends,” House wrote in his Instagram post.
The results of the CT scans and medical imaging for all three fighters have not been publicly disclosed at this time.
