UFC accused of ‘killing their credibility’ by reportedly booking title fight nobody wants to see

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Alexander Volkanovski’s likely next fight has not gone down well with the fans.

Many have been awaiting news of the next title contest at featherweight, where the legendary Volkanovski occupies the throne for a second time.




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After a difficult run that includes two losses to Islam Makhachev and a brutal knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria, Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes at UFC 314 this past April to make his return to the top spot.

At the age of 37, the Australian fan favorite is toward the end of his career and has a limited number of fights remaining. With that in mind, many are furious that the UFC would waste one by booking a rematch that nobody has been clamoring for…

Alexander Volkanvoski celebrates at UFC 290



Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 reportedly set for UFC 325​

A couple of names have been leading the way in fan discussions when it comes to who should be the first challenger in Volkanovski’s second reign.

The champ himself has long expressed interest in fighting the undefeated Movsar Evloev, seeing the chance to take the Russian’s ‘0’ as an enticing opportunity.

Meanwhile, Lerone Murphy’s knockout against Aaron Pico at UFC 319 this past August looked to have cemented him as the next in line. Volkanovski called the Murphy fight a “no-brainer” after the Chicago event.



Alexander Volkanovski made it clear who he wanted to fight after UFC 319, and it was not Diego Lopes…​

You couldn’t have scripted it any better. You get a guy who goes in and does a massive knockout like that on a big card, on a nine-fight win streak — I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer… Lerone Murphy, congratulations, see you soon.

The UFC, however, has evidently seen things differently.

Benny P is an Australian media figure who has broken news relating to Oceanic fighters in the past, such as Khamzat Chimaev’s withdrawal from the UFC Saudi Arabia main event against Robert Whittaker in 2024.

He recently took to X to reveal that a rematch between Volkanovski and Lopes is in line to headline UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, on February 1.


Fans frustrated as UFC seemingly decides on a controversial featherweight rematch​

It did not take long for fans online to give their thoughts on the apparent plan to have Lopeschallenge Volkanovski Down Under.

The vast majority pushed back on the questionable rematch, insisting the UFC had far more intriguing and fresher options for the featherweight king.

“I love Diego, but this is such a joke. Volk’s last win was… DIEGO. Such backwards matchmaking.”

“Nobody wants to see this again.”

“I’m sick of rematches.”

“Why should Lopes get an immediate rematch when Evloev and Murphy are right there?!”

“Are the UFC trying to kill the credibility of their sport? Are you kidding me? Volk literally just schooled Lopes.”

“Playing with Volk’s legacy.”

“Truly zero interest in that matchup. I was led to believe the UFC is created on matching the best fighting only the very best. But it’s pretty obvious we’re just doing the most marketable versus the most marketable.”

“This better not be true.”

“Man so disappointing. I don’t want to watch these two again. I really want to see Volk vs someone new.




Others, though, defended the booking and explained why neither Murphy nor Evloev are more deserving.

“Murphy’s best win is a ranked 10 (Josh) Emmett or a debutant Pico, and Movsar hasn’t fought in ages. Neither deserve the title shot.”

“Why people don’t want this to be true? It’s undeniably the most entertaining title fight they can make, and there’s no one who deserves it more than him.”

“Company is smart, they know Volk probably loses to each of the 3 contenders available. Lopes being the one to beat him is best for numbers.”

“Lopes going to show that last fight was a fluke.”



 
First of all, Fuck fans and what they want. Fuck what they think is sensible.

"In order to conduct a grand orchestra, you must first turn your back to the audience."

Second, None of this is offical. We do not know that this is true, Nor do we know if Evloev/murphy is healthy so MAYBE save the knee jerk reactions for when we know something.
 
With Islam/Usman on deck, and Khamzat and Topuria squatting on their belts, the UFC is a fucking disaster right now. Then we have Aspinall's plummeting stock & WMMA ruining cards.

Poatan, Pantoja, & Merab are only good things the UFC has going right now. Of course they arent dying and they'll continue to dominate the MMA landscape but for hardcores this shit sucks.
 
Alexander Volkanovski’s likely next fight has not gone down well with the fans.

Many have been awaiting news of the next title contest at featherweight, where the legendary <31>Volkanovski occupies the throne for a second time.




Watch More

After a difficult run that includes two losses to Islam Makhachev and a brutal knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria, Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes at UFC 314 this past April to make his return to the top spot.

At the age of 37, the Australian fan favorite is toward the end of his career and has a limited number of fights remaining. With that in mind, many are furious that the UFC would waste one by booking a rematch that nobody has been clamoring for…

Alexander Volkanvoski celebrates at UFC 290



Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 reportedly set for UFC 325​

A couple of names have been leading the way in fan discussions when it comes to who should be the first challenger in Volkanovski’s second reign.

The champ himself has long expressed interest in fighting the undefeated Movsar Evloev, seeing the chance to take the Russian’s ‘0’ as an enticing opportunity.

Meanwhile, Lerone Murphy’s knockout against Aaron Pico at UFC 319 this past August looked to have cemented him as the next in line. Volkanovski called the Murphy fight a “no-brainer” after the Chicago event.



Alexander Volkanovski made it clear who he wanted to fight after UFC 319, and it was not Diego Lopes…​



The UFC, however, has evidently seen things differently.

Benny P is an Australian media figure who has broken news relating to Oceanic fighters in the past, such as Khamzat Chimaev’s withdrawal from the UFC Saudi Arabia main event against Robert Whittaker in 2024.

He recently took to X to reveal that a rematch between Volkanovski and Lopes is in line to headline UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, on February 1.


Fans frustrated as UFC seemingly decides on a controversial featherweight rematch​

It did not take long for fans online to give their thoughts on the apparent plan to have Lopeschallenge Volkanovski Down Under.

The vast majority pushed back on the questionable rematch, insisting the UFC had far more intriguing and fresher options for the featherweight king.

“I love Diego, but this is such a joke. Volk’s last win was… DIEGO. Such backwards matchmaking.”

“Nobody wants to see this again.”

“I’m sick of rematches.”

“Why should Lopes get an immediate rematch when Evloev and Murphy are right there?!”

“Are the UFC trying to kill the credibility of their sport? Are you kidding me? Volk literally just schooled Lopes.”

“Playing with Volk’s legacy.”

“Truly zero interest in that matchup. I was led to believe the UFC is created on matching the best fighting only the very best. But it’s pretty obvious we’re just doing the most marketable versus the most marketable.”

“This better not be true.”

“Man so disappointing. I don’t want to watch these two again. I really want to see Volk vs someone new.




Others, though, defended the booking and explained why neither Murphy nor Evloev are more deserving.

“Murphy’s best win is a ranked 10 (Josh) Emmett or a debutant Pico, and Movsar hasn’t fought in ages. Neither deserve the title shot.”

“Why people don’t want this to be true? It’s undeniably the most entertaining title fight they can make, and there’s no one who deserves it more than him.”

“Company is smart, they know Volk probably loses to each of the 3 contenders available. Lopes being the one to beat him is best for numbers.”

“Lopes going to show that last fight was a fluke.”



“ More people watch the BMF title fight than the World Cup” ~ Pink Goof


<31>
 
You could also make the argument they never had any credibility to begin with.
They actually did have credibility when Dana first took over the UFC. He was very much looked at as fighter friendly and liked by a lot of fans. The UFC went dark in the late 90s and was hard to find on Pay Per View so most of us thought it was pretty much going to end. This forum in the early 2000s was generally liking him because he was looked at as someone who saved the UFC along with the Fertettis.

It's funny because Dana not only seemed like a different person but looked like a different person back then. He had ridiculous bushels of hair on his head, massive gaps between his teeth, and had a normal build. Now he is bald, has had some much needed dental work done, is massively steroided out, and is a huge asshole. What a transformation.

 
If people were paying attention they would know they lost their credibility years ago.

You could also make the argument they never had any credibility to begin with.

UFC_159_poster_art.jpg


Yes sir. There’s an example.

I know there’s a lot of newer fans who don’t know or remember this, but it was worse in context. Chael was coming off a lose to Anderson for the MW title and in his next fight he stepped up to challenge Jones (on short notice) for the LHW title.

Yes, yes, I know the scenario, but it’s still more egregious than Diego (who’s at least coming off a win) challenging Volk who already recked him once.
 
The (WME owned) UFC has mostly been focused on fights that make the most $ense (I.e. not boring grapplers), however, when they have a fighter who through merit, as in a glaringly ridiculous winning streak that they cannot deny, (Belal, Merab and Leon) come to mind, they get it right… less often than not.
 
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