(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The UFC returns to Sydney on Saturday with a featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the night's main event from Qudos Bank Arena to top a 14-fight card.Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) is making his first defense of his title after regaining it last April against Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in Miami, Fla., in a vacant title fight. After Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) opted to move to lightweight last spring, it opened the door for Volkanovski vs. Lopes to happen to restart the championship cycle at 145 pounds.Although the rematch has been met with select criticism in the MMA community, it doesn't bother Volkanovski or Lopes that they are fighting once more. Speaking to reporters on Thursday in front of a primarily pro-Australian audience, Volkanovski said he expects the best version of Lopes regardless of circumstances.

'When you've got a guy like Diego Lopes, you know he's going to bring it,' said Volkanovski, who will be fighting in his home country of Australia for the first time since February 2023 when he lost to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. 'He's a gamer. He's going to want to get in the face and make it a fight. So we're going to have no choice but to fight. That's the fight he brings, that's why he's so exciting and that's why you are all going to have a great fight. Cannot wait. We're going to put on a show for all of you.'

Lopes, who hails from Brazil, expects nothing less from Volkanovski, even agreeing to the idea the UFC may be interested in a trilogy fight with Volkanovski should he exact revenge.

'Oh yeah, I take this (possible trilogy fight) 100%,' said Lopes, 31. 'Volkanovski is a legend in the sport, so, if the UFC says to me, 'You need one more fight with Volk,' I take this. The people know me, I accept (any fight) in my career. It's like him, I never say no.'

UFC CEO Dana White was not present to confirm nor deny the possibility, but based on the energetic nature of the audience, it's a fight series continuation that interests them, too.

But ultimately, Volkanovski wants to leave no questions unanswered.

'Very, very tough guy,' Volkanovski said. 'You know he's durable, he's good at striking, he's powerful, he's good on the ground. But that's when you got to use everything. I just think I'm too smart. The first fight obviously went my way. He will make adjustments, but I just don't believe that that's going to be enough.'

Volkanovski, 37, did clarify that any intention of retiring, at least for now, is off the table. He wants to keep going as long as he remains healthy.

'Obviously, I've got a tough challenge ahead of me, but I'm going to get my hand raised and then maybe a quick turnaround. Hopefully minimal damage so (I) can get right back in (the ring).'

For Lopes, though, this is a career-defining moment, and he recognizes that this may be his last chance for a good while.

'I'm so confident in myself, in my team, my training camp,' Lopes said. 'I think we fixed things in the training camp. Fixed the mistakes in the first fight. I'm still young, I'm still learning a lot, I'm still learning every day. So I think this is sending me a lot of confidence to take the belt.'

Lopes earned the rematch with a TKO stoppage at a UFC Fight Night event last September against Jean Silva (17-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC).

In the co-main event, Dan Hooker of New Zealand, returning to the ring just over two months after he lost by second-round submission to Arman Tsarukyan, faces France's Benoit Saint Denis in a lightweight bout.

Also on the main card, Rafael Fiziev of Azerbaijan faces Brazil's Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight fight, Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa will go up against Tallison Teixeira of Brazil and Quillan Salkilld will battle Jamie Mullarkey in an all-Australian lightweight bout to kick off the main card.

The main card gets underway at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.

-Field Level Media