UFC Sydney preview: Volkanovski vs Lopes leads a card built on urgency

Sydney has a way of defining fighters. From Quillan Salkilld’s Debut of the Year in 2025, to Cain Velasquez’s ascension to the heavyweight throne in 2010, pivotal UFC moments have unfolded on Australian soil. The walkouts feel heavier, the crowds are that little bit louder, and the questions asked during fight week tend to cut a little closer to the bone.

In a few short days, the UFC returns to Sydney with a card built less on novelty and more on intent. It is a collection of athletes arriving at different points in their careers, but speaking with the same underlying urgency.

Alexander Volkanovski returns home with the belt and a clear goal

At the centre of it all is Alexander Volkanovski, back on home soil with the belt back around his waist and a sense that time is something to be managed rather than feared. No fighter has ever had a card orbit them quite like this, and Volkanovski is acutely aware of what the moment represents.

“I can only imagine what the walkout to Land Down Under will be like,” he said. “I want to get my hand raised and give everybody that moment in the arena that they can’t feel on TV.”

There is no talk of farewells or winding down. If anything, Volkanovski sounds lighter. Camp was adjusted, volume pulled back slightly, and the goal now is efficiency.

“Minimal damage, quick turnaround,” he explained. “I expect to be a lot more active this year. I still feel like I’ve got a bit left in me.”

Diego Lopes is chasing the title, not revenge

Across the divide, Diego Lopes carries lessons rather than grudges. Reflecting on their first meeting, he is candid about what went wrong.

“I made a lot of mistakes. I tried to finish him and forgot parts of my game plan.”

This time, the approach is calmer.

“I’m dangerous when I enjoy the moment.”

Lopes is not chasing revenge.

“I only want the belt,” he said.

He knows the crowd will belong to Volkanovski and accepts it.

“Wherever Volk fights, people support him. I’m no stranger to enemy territory.”

Benoit Saint Denis vs Dan Hooker brings lightweight stakes and guaranteed violence

The lightweight division hums beneath the surface all week, none louder than the pairing of Benoit Saint Denis and Dan Hooker. Saint Denis arrived in Sydney off emphatic wins, confident despite jet lag, and aware of what this fight could unlock.

“You hear BSD vs Dan Hooker and you know it’s going to be a scrap,” he said. “I expect the winner of this fight to be top five.”

Asked about titles, he did not dance around it.

“I’m interested in the two most violent belts in the UFC. The lightweight undisputed title and the BMF.”

Hooker, as ever, answered questions like only he can. Somewhere between clarity and chaos, his meaning still landed.

“There’s plan A, B, C, D, E, F. You’ve got to prepare for all of them. It’s going to come down to who can bite down on their mouthguard and finish the war.”

Past comments about falling out of the title picture were brushed aside.

“That was just the frame of mind I was in,” he said. “Now I’ve got BSD at number eight and I’m back in the mix.”

Asked why he keeps doing this, Hooker grinned.

“I’m getting paid a boatload of money to ruin people’s dreams.”

Saint Denis was not rattled by the back and forth.

“I’m arguing with a door,” Hooker laughed. “He’s the nicest guy in the world.”

Australian fighters on the UFC Sydney card

Junior Tafa embraces the noise and the moment

Elsewhere on the card, the tone shifts but the stakes remain. Junior Tafa understands exactly what it means to walk out on a numbered card in Sydney.

“It’s an honour and a privilege,” he said. “The louder the crowd, the better.”

Standing opposite another Samoan adds complexity.

“I’m a fan of this guy,” Tafa admitted. “But I’ve got to look to take his head off.”

Online noise does not factor in.

“I’d rather be present at home with my two young kids.”

Jamie Mullarkey vs Quillan Salkilld is built on doubt and momentum

Jamie Mullarkey’s camp began with uncertainty. He was not sure he would be fighting at all. Training with Volkanovski at Freestyle MMA kept him ready, and when the opportunity appeared, he did not hesitate.

“Everyone’s doubting me and overlooking me,” he said. “That’s expected.”

Stylistically, he sees openings.

“I’ll be right there mixing it up, dictating where the fight goes.”

Quillan Salkilld, on the other side of that equation, is embracing the rise without being consumed by it.

“I feel like the star is rising,” he said. “It doesn’t affect me much. I’m still focused on the fight.”

A late opponent change did not rattle him.

“People always have something to say. I’m excited to show all facets of my game.”

Mauricio Ruffy, Rafael Fiziev, and a mindset built for fight week

Mauricio Ruffy speaks like someone who knows exactly where he is supposed to be. Training alongside Mullarkey and Volkanovski, and coached by Joe Lopez, he has sharpened his confidence.

“I’m a better fighter now,” he said. “I’m ready to show it.”

Rafael Fiziev kept his answers short and sharp.

“We both have beautiful styles, totally different striking,” he said. “Maybe a bonus follows. Anything beyond this weekend doesn’t exist. I have an opponent now. I cannot look past that.”

For Jonathan Micallef, the emotion is quieter but no less real. A cancelled bout in Perth lingered longer than he wanted.

“I just wanted to fight,” he said. “It took a bit longer than I hoped, but it’s going to have a good ending.”

Confidence has grown with time.

“Every month my fight IQ gets better.”

Tai Tuivasa and Cam Rowston keep it simple

Tai Tuivasa does not dress things up.

“I miss winning,” he said.

Camp took him from Perth to Dubai, but analysis of his opponent barely got off the ground.

“He’s tall. That’s about it,” he laughed.

The message, though, was clear.

“Don’t forget about the fat boy.”

Cam Rowston closed media day with his usual dry delivery, reflecting on fighting back in his hometown.

“All my friends and family are coming,” he said. “The milkman, the postman.”

There is no plan to slow down.

“I waited a very long time to make the UFC. I don’t want to rest while I’m here.”

He keeps game plans loose, feeds off the crowd, and lets the moment settle him rather than overwhelm him.

“I just go in there and fight my fight.”

Whether it ends quickly or becomes a war, Rowston is comfortable either way.

When the lights come up in Sydney, the talking stops

In Sydney, being comfortable matters, because once the lights come up and the crowd takes over, the talking stops. And all that is left is life defying moments, either for better or for worse.

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