<h2>Volkanovski Out to Defend Title at Home at UFC 325 - Three Round News Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- &nbsp; Australian featherweight champion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-matches/alexander-volkanovski-v-diego-lopes-9894068/sgm">Alex Volkanovski defends his title against Diego Lopes at UFC 325</a> in Sydney.</p> <p>- &nbsp; Heavyweight favourite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-matches/tai-tuivasa-v-tallison-teixeira-9979342">Tai Tuivasa battles for his UFC career against Tallison Teixeira</a> on the undercard.</p> <p>- &nbsp; This marks a potential end of an era for Australian mixed martial arts with several veterans facing uncertain futures.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Volkanovski's Home Coming Defence</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The 37-year-old featherweight champion faces renewed retirement speculation as he prepares for his rematch with Brazilian contender Diego Lopes.</p> <p>Despite convincingly defeating Lopes via unanimous decision in Miami last April,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/ufc/predictions/volkanovski-vs-lopes-ufc-325-betting-tips-predictions">the UFC 325 main event</a> has divided fans who preferred fresh challengers like undefeated prospects Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy.</p> <p>Volkanovski remains defiant about his fighting future, stating he has "still got a bit left" whilst acknowledging time is running short. The Australian legend plans minimal damage and a quick turnaround, with potential opponents Evloev and Murphy set to face each other in March to determine his next challenger.</p> <p>For Australia's greatest mixed martial arts fighter, this represents a unique opportunity to finally celebrate championship glory in front of his home crowd.</p> <p>Throughout his remarkable title reign, including victories over Jose Aldo and his trilogy with Max Holloway, Volkanovski has claimed gold on foreign soil.</p> <p>His only previous Australian appearance as champion came in the lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev in Perth, where he delivered a masterful performance but fell short on the judges' scorecards.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian MMA Veterans Face Crossroads</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>UFC 325 symbolises a changing of the guard in Australian combat sports, with several established fighters approaching potential career endpoints.</p> <p>Heavyweight fan-favourite Tai Tuivasa enters his bout against Tallison Teixeira carrying a devastating five-fight losing streak that threatens his UFC tenure.</p> <p>The Sydney card marks nine years since Volkanovski and Tuivasa last shared the spotlight, when both emerged as promising prospects in 2017.</p> <p>Tuivasa's journey from knockout artist to title eliminator and back to the brink demonstrates the unforgiving nature of elite competition.</p> <p>Other Australian stalwarts face similar uncertainties. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker contemplates retirement following back-to-back losses, whilst Tyson Pedro has already departed the organisation.</p> <p>This transitional period sees emerging talents like welterweight Jack Della Maddalena and lightweight Quillan Salkilld representing the sport's future Down Under.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Championship Legacy on Home Soil</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite holding the featherweight title for over four years, Volkanovski has never experienced the euphoria of victory celebration with Australian fans in attendance.</p> <p>The champion seeks to create that defining moment whilst defending against a dangerous opponent who possesses knockout power.</p> <p>Lopes earned his title shot through an impressive UFC run, though many questioned the merit of an immediate rematch following his decisive first encounter with Volkanovski.</p> <p>The Brazilian brings legitimate threat with heavy hands capable of ending fights instantly, making this defence far from ceremonial.</p> <p>Volkanovski's betting odds reflect his championship pedigree and previous victory over Lopes, though the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts ensures no outcome is guaranteed.</p> <p>The champion's emphasis on entertainment and dominance suggests an aggressive approach designed to thrill the Sydney crowd.</p> <p>As Australian MMA's greatest export potentially nears the twilight of his career, UFC 325 offers a rare opportunity to witness history whilst supporting local talent.</p> <p>Whether Volkanovski extends his legacy or faces an unexpected conclusion, Sunday's event represents a celebration of Australian fighting excellence that may not be replicated for years to come.</p>