Volkanovski-Lopes 2 Set for Sydney Fight Night in January

A featherweight rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes is reportedly set to headline a UFC Fight Night in Sydney on January 31, with CBS Sports' 2026 schedule listing the booking as confirmed.

Volkanovski, 37, is the reigning featherweight champion and currently sits third in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Australian holds a 28-4-0 record and has long been one of the UFC's most reliable international headliners in his home market. Standing five-foot-six with a 71-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and produces some of the division's most consistent offensive output, landing nearly six significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate. He also averages 1.63 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat across all areas.

Lopes, 31, enters the rematch ranked seventh in the featherweight division with a 28-8-0 record representing Brazil. The orthodox fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, giving him notable physical advantages over the champion. He lands 3.83 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.4 submissions per 15 minutes, reflecting a well-rounded game that leans toward grappling danger. His accuracy sits at 47 percent.

Why it matters

• A second meeting between the champion and a ranked contender carries direct title implications, with the winner shaping the division's next challenge.
• Lopes at number seven has a clear path toward a title shot with a strong performance, while Volkanovski looks to reassert his dominance in the 145-pound picture.
• The physical size gap between the two fighters — Lopes holds a five-inch height advantage and a one-inch reach edge — makes the stylistic matchup a compelling question for the rematch.
• Hosting the card in Sydney amplifies the stakes for Volkanovski, who draws significant local interest in the Australian market.