“My goal is to finish him”: Diego Lopes sends bold warning to Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC 325,

Diego Lopes is not hiding his plan this time. The featherweight contender has made it clear he wants a finish when he faces Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325. On Tuesday, January 7, 2026, Diego Lopes spoke with Fox Sports and said he is chasing a knockout or submission in their upcoming title fight.

The bout is set for UFC 325 in Australia, where Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight belt at home. Diego Lopes lost to Volkanovski at UFC 314 in 2025. Now, he says he is coming back with one goal to end the fight before the judges get involved.

Diego Lopes promises finish against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325

Diego Lopes is 31 years old and was born in Brazil. He now trains and fights out of Mexico. When he fought Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314 in 2025, he went all five rounds and lost by unanimous decision.

Even though he lost, many fans praised his pressure and courage. This time, Diego Lopes wants a very different ending.

While speaking to Fox Sports this week, Diego Lopes was asked how he sees the rematch playing out. His answer was direct and emotional.

“I’m fighting in enemy territory, I need to finish this fight,” Diego Lopes said. “Submission or knockout… this is my goal. My goal is to finish him.”

Diego Lopes also said he believes Alexander Volkanovski could make a small mistake. He feels that one moment could be all he needs to change the fight.

“I think he can make one mistake,” Lopes added. “And that’s when I will take it.”

The words come with respect, but also confidence. Diego Lopes knows he is facing one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history. Still, he believes his growth since their first meeting gives him a real chance to stop the champion.

As the fight gets closer, some fans have questioned Alexander Volkanovski’s future. The champion is now 37 years old.

He has suffered three losses in the UFC, two of them by stoppage. He was knocked out by Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 and later stopped again by Ilia Topuria.



Despite that, Alexander Volkanovski says retirement is not even on his mind.

Speaking to 10 News in Australia this week, Alexander Volkanovski cleared up the rumors.

“I don’t know where that’s come from,” Volkanovski said. “No, it hasn’t been planned to be my last fight. There are definitely no plans.”

Alexander Volkanovski won the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314. That win put him back on top of the division.

Now, he plans to beat Diego Lopes and move forward without taking too much damage. He also shared names he is watching for the future.

“You’ve got a couple of other guys like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy,” Volkanovski said. “They’re undefeated. For the legacy, they look pretty good as well.”

For now, though, his full focus is on UFC 325. And across the cage, Diego Lopes is waiting, chasing the finish he says is his only goal.

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