Aussie stars Alexander Volkanovski, Jack Della Maddalena both set to compete for UFC titles
Updated . First published at
Australian star Alexander Volkanovski will return to the octagon in April, with a bout for the vacant UFC featherweight title confirmed.
The former champ will take on Diego Lopes for the 145-pound strap after it was revealed Ilia Topuria had vacated the title and will move up to lightweight.
Volkanovski and Lopes will headline the UFC 314 pay-per-view on April 13 (AEDT), as announced by Dana White via social media.
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Alexander Volkanovski after his loss against Ilia Topuria. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The 36-year-old hasn't fought since being knocked out by Topuria a year ago, but has always remained fixated on regaining his featherweight strap.
Lopes is on a five-fight win streak in the UFC and has moved towards the top of the rankings after back-to-back victories in 2024.
Topuria's move up a weight class will now likely see him challenge the undefeated Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title later this year.
"Topuria has felt like he's done all that he can in that division," White said via Instagram.
"His body cannot make the weight anymore. We will announce what Topuria's next fight will be when we get it done."
Volkanovski's return to the cage isn't the only big news for the Aussies either, with Jack Della Maddalena confirmed for a shot at the welterweight gold at UFC 315 in May.
Jack Della Maddalena will challenge for the UFC welterweight title. Getty
The 28-year-old Perth product hasn't lost since he joined the company and has torn through the division in recent years, highlighted by a brutal knockout of Gilbert Burns.
Della Maddalena will take on Belal Muhammad in a bid to join Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker as the only Aussie fighters to win a UFC championship.
