Alex Volkanovski says he “cannot wait” to finally get the chance to defend his UFC featherweight strap on Aussie soil, with the champ locked in to headline UFC 325 in Sydney next year.
Fronting the media at Wednesday’s press conference in front of the Sydney Opera House, the Wollongong legend lit up when speaking about his dream finally becoming a reality – a title defence at home, for the first time in his 13-year career.
“I was here last year hoping that I’d be on the card [for UFC 325],” Volkanovski said.
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“But to be here chatting with you guys, knowing that I not only get to fight in Sydney… but I get to actually defend the belt at home – it’s just incredible. So, I cannot wait.”
The featherweight kingpin and two-time champ will be squaring off with Brazilian powerhouse Diego Lopes for the second time, having beaten him via unanimous decision at UFC 314 in Miami last April.
“We know Lopes is a gamer,” said Volkavoski.
“He’s a very aggressive and dangerous opponent – which is good for the fans as you know we’re going to put on a wild fight.”
“But the belt is staying here and I cannot wait to put on a show.”
Volkanovski joked that he’d prefer fans snapped up tickets early so his phone doesn’t “blow up” with mates chasing seats through him.
Kiwi fan favourite Dan “The Hangman” Hooker will feature in the co-main event at UFC 325, where he thows down with dangerous Frenchman Benoît Saint Denis.
The “God of War” arrives in Sydney with a background in the French special forces and fresh off a terrifying 16-second knockout of Beneil Dariush at UFC 322.
But “The Hangman” isn’t losing any sleep.
“I’ll put on a firefight with this French bloke,” he grinned.
“I’ll tear him up. Don’t worry about it – you’ll get your money’s worth.”
Hooker has built his reputation on taking the hardest fights available and delivering excitement every time – even when the results don’t go his way.
Just last month he stepped up against lightweight bogeyman Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC Qatar main event, ultimately being submitted in the second round.
Now, he’s hunting redemption.
“I’m just coming to do damage in this fight,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“When I was told about this fight, I said I’m in. I’m pumped.”
The UFC 325 card is stacked with local talent – Tai Tuivasa, Jimmy Crute, and Quillan Salkilld among them – a lineup Hooker says he loves being part of.
“I’m pumped for fight week with all the boys,” he said.
“I think this is one of the best cards we’ve ever had down this side of the world – in terms of the stylistic matchups, the lightweight fighters. It’s going to be a banger.”
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said he’s eagerly counting down to February 1.
“I know it’s going to be so exciting by just talking to people on the streets and [seeing] the excitement that they have to be part of and get tickets to,” he said.
“Sydney is going to be center stage again on February one. We’re going to have the whole world tuning-in to Sydney and that’s what makes it so valuable for our state.
“It has been great, great from a visitor economy perspective. The last two fights have generated over $30 million in visitor expenditure in the city. It puts our great city on show. We’re so looking forward to the day.”
In the last 15 years, the UFC’s rise in Australia has been remarkable, shifting from a fringe sport to a mainstream powerhouse. Sold-out arenas in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth have become standard, with tickets disappearing in minutes.
Volkanovski has been a major part of that growth, but he believes all Aussies deserve credit.
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“It’s not just me, there’s so many great fighters from this side of the world who have been on a tear,” he said.
“And the great Aussie crowds… there’s a reason why the UFC keep coming back. We are a big market for them. We’re all doing a great job and I think it’s only up from here.”