![Top Legendary Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell [Updated 2025]](https://sportspromax.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-300x200.webp "Top Legendary Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell [Updated 2025] 2")
The UFC Lightweight title picture never had the best of runs. Conor McGregor had to forfeit the glory; rival Khabib could not make a plethora of matchups and was stuck in Russia. Now, even Ilia Topuria has had hassles, and the 155-pound class has had four different interim lightweight title slots. One down at featherweight (145) and things aren’t that better right now. Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will duke it out in a PPV title rematch soon, for the belt, at UFC 325.
UFC bossman Dana White dropped what fans consider a lineup of unsavory matchups and snub of rightful contenders, after this Thursday. UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2, Live from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, is the second time the fighters will have a go at it. Diego Lopes, a proper ’24 breakout star, went at Alexander Volkanovski for the then-vacant crown at UFC 314. However, the Aussie dominated him for five rounds and a UD, and started a second reign,
Just a few months later, however, Lopes returned to action against the rising featherweight Jean Silva in a highly anticipated bout. It was one of the best skills tests, and Lopes rebounded. But, other deserving contenders deserve their first crack, rather than Lopes his second. Aljamain Sterling thinks there’s others out there that deserve their dues from Dana White and Co.
It’s 110% not what it used to be. I ride for the company but this shit is beyond frustrating! I get their POV, but stop saying we give the fans the fights that they want to see and we make the BEST fight the BEST! It’s way more frequent now and extremely hard to ignore. Especially at your weight class.
Aljamain Sterling via X (@funkmasterMMA)
#1-ranked Movsar Evloev is right above Lopes and remains undefeated and is ranked among the top fighters in the 145-pound weight class. Meanwhile, Lerone Murphy, #4, is on a nine-fight streak, the most recent of which included a KO of the highly touted Aaron Pico at UFC 319.
Alex Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Diego Lopes at #UFC325, Dana White announced.
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 27, 2025
Volkanovski beat Lopes by UD to win the vacant UFC featherweight title back in April. pic.twitter.com/ovaypd2zP0
Yet, both are unbooked and on a title snub. Sterling, the 3xUNDISPUTED UFC Champ and former bantamweight king. made his move up to featherweight at UFC 300. Sterling even had an intelligent scramble and one-on-one against Movsar, and the division’s top order is bountiful with next opportunities.
It’s 110% not what it used to be. I ride for the company but this shit is beyond frustrating! I get their POV, but stop saying we give the fans the fights that they want to see and we make the BEST fight the BEST! It’s way more frequent now and extremely hard to ignore.… https://t.co/bcji0Agte4
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 28, 2025
He is a modest 2-1 at featherweight, and after a ‘W’ over a zombified Brian Ortega at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, he expressed his interest in facing Volk if need be. However, a monkey wrench was thrown at all such aspiring plans with the Volk vs. Lopes 2 affair. Dana White has often touted he and his UFC make the best fight the best rather than clogging the top order with meaningless matchups.
These stances mirror the overarching direction in which the organization endeavors to proceed as the premier combat sports organism for years to come. However, the recent announcements of UFC 324 and UFC 325 would be a disastrous backtracking from that sentiment. Why disastrous? Because the top order also thinks Murphy and Evloev deserve their dues.
Diego Lopes once claimed fellow UFC 145-pounder Lerone Murphy could end up fighting for title next
27-7 MMA and 6-2 UFC, Lobo Gym standout Diego Lopes was never not an exciting fighter. He was a 2024 breakout phenom and had picturesque berserk moments against those like Sodiq Yusuff and former title challenger Brian Ortega. ‘Interesting’ (at least on the mic) is a prime factor where foreign fighters like Movsar Evloev are sometimes considered not the biggest sell.
Lopes was modestly good all around and had good presser tidbits as well. Then he rebounded from his failed title bid with Alexander Volkanovski and won one against Silva. His momentous win warranted him a $100,000 double-dip and proper Knockout of The Year Contender.
Shortly before his fight against “Lord” Silva, though, Lopes discussed the top contenders in the division in a media sitdown. He acknowledged that the undefeated Lerone Murphy was in the best condition and could be pushed for a title shot.
I think Lerone Murphy [could]…Lerone Murphy did a good job in his last fight, I think he deserves to fight for the title, but feel bad for Movsar now.
Diego Lopes on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show‘ for ‘Uncrowned’ Combat
The win over Aaron Pico could also be a potent KOTY, and even Volk was interested in fighting Murphy after that. However, the booking never came to be.
Nevertheless, just a few weeks later, Lopes ended Silva’s winning streak (5-1 now), almost overshadowing Murphy’s run. However, it still seemed ‘Miracle’ was in a poll position to get it, given the champion Volkanovski’s preference. Come UFC 325 and the fallout, either fighter might give Murphy his chance, given he remains undefeated.
ALSO READ: Former Champ Aljamain Sterling Hails Diego Lopes Title Eliminator After UFC Fight Night 259
