Alexander Volkanovski defended his Featherweight Title against Diego Lopes at UFC 325

Australian Alexander Volkanovski cemented his supremacy in the UFC featherweight division on Sunday after again outlasting rival Diego Lopes in a gruelling rematch in Sydney.

In the main event of UFC 325, the 37-year-old defended his 145-pound belt with a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to prevail in a five-round slugfest.

A pumped-up Volkanovski, a former rugby league player, basked in the adoration of the febrile 20,000-person crowd at Qudos Bank Arena in his first world title defence on Australian soil.

Volkanovski (28-4) continued his dominance over 31-year-old Lopes (27-8) having also won by a unanimous decision at UFC 314 last April in Miami, a triumph he rated as one of the very best of his legendary career.