Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC title in February. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
World champion and Illawarra local Alex ‘The Great’ Volkanovski will defend his title on home turf for the first time in February 2026.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to Qudos Bank Arena for UFC 325 on 1 February.
An Australian sporting icon, and current and two-time featherweight champion, Alex will defend his title in a blockbuster showdown against Diego Lopes.
The event is expected to sell out and attract fans from across Australia and around the globe.
The third, massive pay-per-view card was secured as part of the Minns Labor Government’s multi-event agreement with the UFC, and comes after the previous two events collectively delivered millions of dollars for the state’s visitor economy.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the UFC was a key part of the government’s tourism strategy.
“I am thrilled to see UFC make its return to Sydney for what is expected to be an incredible sell-out event,” he said.
“We are laser focused on ensuring we continue to secure a calendar of exclusive, diverse and unmissable events to boost the state’s economy, support local businesses and create more jobs, and that’s exactly what these events do.
“And what better city than Sydney for Wollongong local and Australian UFC legend Alex Volkanovski to defend his featherweight title for the first time on Australian soil?”
Earlier this year the 36-year-old was awarded the Keys to the City of Wollongong, in recognition of his sporting achievements and efforts to promote Wollongong on the international stage.
Alex said the honour cemented the support he’d experienced from his hometown throughout his entire career.
“I’ve always felt that support and I’ve always been proud of where I’m from,” he said.
“But I know mixed martial arts is quite a confronting sport and it took some people a while to get used to, to appreciate us as athletes and human beings.
“It’s a simple thing but now I feel like I’m being supported by everyone.
“It’s really exciting; I’m really proud and honoured.”
Alex has trained and fought his entire professional career out of the Freestyle MMA Gym in Windang.
He first claimed the UFC featherweight world title in December 2019 and defended the crown a further five times. In July 2022 he was ranked the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
On 12 April this year, he reclaimed the featherweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes in his 10th consecutive UFC championship contest.
He is the reigning and two-time featherweight champion and widely regarded as the greatest 145-pound fighter to ever step into the cage.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said Alex’s February title defence would cement Sydney’s reputation as an international sports destination.
“It is incredibly exciting that Sydney will take centre stage next February for this blockbuster event, which will draw thousands of fans from across the world and inject millions into the NSW visitor economy,” he said.
“UFC 325 will reaffirm Sydney’s position on the world stage as a leading destination for unforgettable, world-class sporting experiences.
“And I know that the whole of NSW will be behind Wollongong’s hometown hero Alex Volkanovski.”
