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Sam Bruce
Multiple Authors
UFC Fight Night 121 is not a card often remembered fondly in MMA communities, especially for the 10,021 fans who made their way to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, November 19, 2017.
The event appeared to be cursed from the beginning. With heavyweight Mark Hunt’s exit from the main event due to “medical concerns,” Joanne Calderwood pulling out due to an “undisclosed injury,” a doping violation involving The Ultimate Fighter Series: Redemption winner Jesse Taylor, and four fighters missing weight the day before, UFC Fight Night Sydney was plagued with challenges.
This was compounded by a ridiculous incident involving a boomerang and replacement headliner Fabricio Werdum, which resulted in the Brazilian being charged with common assault and fined $[AUD]600.
The card included 13 fights, nearly all of which went the distance, setting a record for the longest UFC event ever with 3:04:18 of actual fight time, a record that stood for over two and a half years until it was surpassed at UFC 251.
even so, there were a few highlights for local fans, including Tai Tuivasa’s spectacular flying knee KO of Rashad Coulter and Alexander Volkanovski’s total domination of Shane Young.
Now, nearly 2996 days later, Volkanovski is set to step into the octagon on Sunday [AEDT, Saturday night ET] for an eagerly awaited title fight in front of his hometown crowd.
“It’s hard to believe how long ago that was,” Volkanovski shared with ESPN. “Reflecting on my early career, it’s astonishing to see how far I’ve come. I’ve always attended UFC events in Sydney, supporting them and enjoying the vibe.
“This time, I aim to bring that energy… I’m looking forward to an incredible performance, especially during my walkout. The atmosphere in Perth [UFC 284] was electric, so I can only imagine what it will be like in Sydney.”
“The last time I fought in Sydney, I didn’t have that energy because I wasn’t as recognized. But now, I’ve got tremendous support, and I’m excited to give back to my fans, especially those from Wollongong who will be there. Putting on a show for them will be incredible.”
He hasn’t fought on home soil since UFC 284; the memory of his unanimous decision loss to Islam Makhachev in 2023 lingers, even though the outcome wasn’t in his favor.
but, this upcoming fight against Brazilian Diego Lopes feels significant.
It’s in Volkanovski’s home state, with Qudos Bank Arena just a short drive from Wollongong. The effort to get this fight scheduled in Sydney has been nearly as challenging as facing Makhachev for five rounds.
Part of the struggle was due to timing, which can be elusive in the rapidly changing UFC landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic forced Volkanovski into extended periods of hotel quarantine, requiring him to travel abroad frequently and endure Australia’s quarantine policies.
He spotted an opportunity to fight in Sydney early last year after losing his title to Ilia Topuria, but the stars didn’t align, leading to Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland headlining UFC 312 instead.
With an eight-year wait finally over for the home crowd, Volkanovski is eager to impress, even if the fight doesn’t add much to his career record.
“We know Lopes will come ready to fight, and while some might have preferred me against undefeated [Movsar] Evloev for legacy reasons, many just want to see me compete,” Volkanovski shared with ESPN.
“Some fans still want to watch me fight. They’re excited about this matchup since the last one against Lopes was thrilling, and now it’s happening in Sydney. It should be a treat, although rematching someone I recently beat doesn’t do much for my legacy.”
It raises the question of having little at stake and everything to lose, a concern Volkanovski acknowledges but believes he can leverage this fight to propel himself. A second dominant performance against Lopes, who is six years younger, could remind others of their challenge to dethrone him in the featherweight division.
He expresses confidence that he will present a different version of himself compared to their previous matchup, which he won closely on the judges’ scorecards.
“I’m approaching this differently; I wish I had this mindset in past fights,” Volkanovski remarks. “I’ve found success, but my strategy has been highly calculated. In this instance, I feel I can bulldoze my opponents instead. Why not steamroll through them when I can?”
He intends to push aggressively against Lopes.
When asked if Lopes might adopt a different strategy this time, Volkanovski responds, “What could he possibly change? Will he try to outsmart me? I don’t think that’s how he fights, and that serves my advantage.”
“He needs to stay consistent but may need to enhance certain aspects of his game. If he presses forward, he should be sharper in cutting off angles. I expect minor adjustments from him.
“but, he will remain that same Diego. Fans can expect an all-out fight as always; he aims to take my head off. But remember, I’m in a position to do the same to him.”
While fully focused on Lopes, Volkanovski is also curious about what 2026 might bring. He hints at a quick return, and the upcoming Whitehouse card is also enticing, especially if he wins on Sunday.
Yet, the reality remains that one punch can change everything. He embraces the notion that, at 37, he might be operating on borrowed time in the Octagon.
“I’m more than happy to address age; some wonder why I mention being 37. I enjoy the added pressure. I want people to think I’m aging. I am, but I’m still better than my opponents, and I’ll prove it… I believe I can truly dominate these fighters, so let’s get to it.”
If he falls to Lopes at UFC 325, Volkanovski’s legacy in the UFC is still intact. A two-time champion with five successful featherweight title defenses, he has already earned respect within the UFC community.
He has nothing left to prove.
Yet, wearing the belt in Sydney, surrounded by loved ones after an eight-year wait, would mean the world to Volkanovski and to all those who witnessed his triumph over Shane Young on that long day in 2017.
