Sports
Alexander Volkanovski returns home to defend UFC title vs. Diego Lopes
Apr 12, 2025; Miami, Florida, UNITED STATES; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) reacts after defeating Diego Lopes (not pictured) during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The UFC returns to Sydney on Saturday with a featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the night’s main event from Qudos Bank Arena to top a 14-fight card.
Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) is making his first defense of his title after regaining it last April against Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in Miami, Fla., in a vacant title fight. After Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) opted to move to lightweight last spring, it opened the door for Volkanovski vs. Lopes to happen to restart the championship cycle at 145 pounds.
Although the rematch has been met with select criticism in the MMA community, it doesn’t bother Volkanovski or Lopes that they are fighting once more. Speaking to reporters on Thursday in front of a primarily pro-Australian audience, Volkanovski said he expects the best version of Lopes regardless of circumstances.
“When you’ve got a guy like Diego Lopes, you know he’s going to bring it,” said Volkanovski, who will be fighting in his home country of Australia for the first time since February 2023 when he lost to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. “He’s a gamer. He’s going to want to get in the face and make it a fight. So we’re going to have no choice but to fight. That’s the fight he brings, that’s why he’s so exciting and that’s why you are all going to have a great fight. Cannot wait. We’re going to put on a show for all of you.”
Lopes, who hails from Brazil, expects nothing less from Volkanovski, even agreeing to the idea the UFC may be interested in a trilogy fight with Volkanovski should he exact revenge.
“Oh yeah, I take this (possible trilogy fight) 100%,” said Lopes, 31. “Volkanovski is a legend in the sport, so, if the UFC says to me, ‘You need one more fight with Volk,’ I take this. The people know me, I accept (any fight) in my career. It’s like him, I never say no.”
UFC CEO Dana White was not present to confirm nor deny the possibility, but based on the energetic nature of the audience, it’s a fight series continuation that interests them, too.
But ultimately, Volkanovski wants to leave no questions unanswered.
“Very, very tough guy,” Volkanovski said. “You know he’s durable, he’s good at striking, he’s powerful, he’s good on the ground. But that’s when you got to use everything. I just think I’m too smart. The first fight obviously went my way. He will make adjustments, but I just don’t believe that that’s going to be enough.”
Volkanovski, 37, did clarify that any intention of retiring, at least for now, is off the table. He wants to keep going as long as he remains healthy.
“Obviously, I’ve got a tough challenge ahead of me, but I’m going to get my hand raised and then maybe a quick turnaround. Hopefully minimal damage so (I) can get right back in (the ring).”
For Lopes, though, this is a career-defining moment, and he recognizes that this may be his last chance for a good while.
“I’m so confident in myself, in my team, my training camp,” Lopes said. “I think we fixed things in the training camp. Fixed the mistakes in the first fight. I’m still young, I’m still learning a lot, I’m still learning every day. So I think this is sending me a lot of confidence to take the belt.”
Lopes earned the rematch with a TKO stoppage at a UFC Fight Night event last September against Jean Silva (17-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC).
In the co-main event, Dan Hooker of New Zealand, returning to the ring just over two months after he lost by second-round submission to Arman Tsarukyan, faces France’s Benoit Saint Denis in a lightweight bout.
Also on the main card of UFC 325, Rafael Fiziev of Azerbaijan faces Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight fight, Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa will go up against Tallison Teixeira of Brazil and Quillan Salkilld will battle Jamie Mullarkey in an all-Australian lightweight bout to kick off the main card.
The main card gets underway at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.
-Field Level Media
Sports
Romain Grosjean returning to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing
Romain Grosjean ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Romain Grosjean has signed with Dale Coyne Racing for the 2026 IndyCar season, marking a return to the team with which he made his series debut in 2021.
The announcement was made on Friday, with the former Formula 1 driver stepping into the No. 18 Honda for DCR. He will team with rookie Dennis Hauger for the team, which parted ways with Rinus VeeKay after last season.
“Pairing an exceptional rookie in Dennis with a proven veteran like Romain gives us a strong competitive foundation,” team owner Dale Coyne said. “Bringing back key pieces of our history while building new global partnerships positions us well for 2026.”
Grosjean was out of IndyCar in 2025 after racing with Juncos Hollinger Racing. He competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, but in August he expressed optimism about returning to the IndyCar grid.
The 39-year-old Swiss-born Frenchman started 179 F1 races from 2009-20. He has made six podiums and won three poles in 64 IndyCar races.
The 2026 IndyCar season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Darren Clarke posts 2 eagles, shares Chubb Classic lead with Michael Wright
Darren Clarke tees off on 1 to start the final round of The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Sunday, March 30, 2025. Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland made two eagles over his final four holes to grab a share of the first-round lead at the Chubb Classic on Friday in Naples, Fla.
Clarke and Australian Michael Wright posted 7-under-par 65 at Tiburon Golf Club’s Black Course with two rounds to go. Tied for third one stroke behind are defending champion Justin Leonard, Scott Parel, Rob Labritz and Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez.
Clarke already had a busy round when he reached the par-5 15th hole, with five birdies and two bogeys on his card. He reached the green in two on that hole, and again at the par-5 18th, sinking eagle putts both times.
“The one on 15, I hit driver, 3-iron from 237 (yards) to 12 feet and holed it for eagle,” said Clarke, 57. “Then the last one I hit driver, 3-wood. The 3-wood was from 241 or something straight into the wind. Hit it to 15 feet behind the hole. So they were both pretty good. Take those any day.”
Wright, 51, is newer to the tour and is well-positioned to go for his first win.
He sank nine birdies, including four of his last five holes, helping absorb a double bogey at the par-4 13th. He said his son Charlie carried his bag and read most of his putts for him Friday.
“This is his first Champions event and his first event ever was three weeks ago in Australia,” Michael Wright said. “He’s doing a great job. I love having him on the bag.”
Leonard posted four birdies on each nine. After a bogey at No. 17, he bounced back at No. 18 when he stuck his approach shot a few feet from the hole to set up birdie.
“I hit a lot of greens today,” Leonard said. “I think I may have only missed one or two greens. Did make a couple bogeys, but I played well on the par-5s and got off to a good start. I kind of did all the things you need to do around here.”
Leonard won by four shots here in 2025.
Two shots off the pace at 5-under 67 are Bo Van Pelt, David Toms, Germany’s Alex Cejka and South Korea’s K.J. Choi.
–Field Level Media
Sports
William Byron to use backup car in pursuit of Daytona 500 three-peat
Feb 13, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) during NASCAR Cup Series practice at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images William Byron will need to rely on a backup car on Sunday when he tries to become the first driver to win the Daytona 500 in three consecutive years.
Byron’s preferred No. 24 Chevrolet took enough damage during qualifying Thursday to relegate him to a backup car for the Great American Race.
The bright side for Byron? He drove a backup car in 2024 when he won the first of his two Daytona titles.
“We’ve won this race with a backup car, so I’m not super worried on that aspect,” Byron said. “But it does suck that you put a lot of work into the primary and you don’t get to race it.”
The Hendrick Motorsports driver is attempting to achieve a three-peat that Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin and Denny Hamlin had chances at over the years before each fell short in Year 3.
Byron, 28, will start 39th in the 41-car pack.
–Field Level Media
Romain Grosjean returning to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing
Darren Clarke posts 2 eagles, shares Chubb Classic lead with Michael Wright
