Alex Volkanovski has defended his crown on home soil. Photo: UFC
Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski once again delivered on his moniker with another clinic in the cage, defending his UFC featherweight title in dominant fashion in Sydney.
The same fight saw the same result, as Volkanovski won his sequel scrap with Diego Lopes by unanimous decision to underscore his status as the best 145-pound fighter on the planet.
His victory at UFC 325 saw him equal division legend Jose Aldo for the most title defences.
While Lopes had his moments, the challenger had no real answers for Volkanovski's elite defence and power combinations.
Lopes absorbed shots that would fell any normal human, but showed great grit, as well as a solid chin to survive the 25 minutes.
Brazil's Diego Lopes looks on, after losing the men's UFC featherweight title fight against Alexander Volkanovski. Photo: STEVEN MARKHAM
"I almost had my moment in Perth, but I got my moment here in Sydney," Volkanovski said.
Meanwhile, Kiwi lightweight Dan Hooker was bullied by Benoit Sain Denis in the co-main event, succumbing to a relentless barrage of ground and pound.
Hooker found success with body kicks early, forcing Saint Denis to shoot, and after four failed attempts, he finally took Hooker to the mat.
There, he beat Hooker to a bloody pulp, the 'God of War' mercifully pulled off a crimson clad Hangman, after two dozen unanswered shots in a savage mauling.
"Give me the f****** belt! I am ready," Saint Denis said afterwards.
Hooker's defeat marked a mixed bag for City Kickboxing, after flyweight Aaron Tau was removed from the card for missing weight.
Dan Hooker reflects on his defeat at UFC 325. Photo: STEVEN MARKHAM
However, it was hinted during the pay-per-view coverage that the fight may take place later in the year.
In better news for CKB, the UFC welcomed its latest member to the roster in Kiwi bantamweight Lawrence Lui, who earned a split-decision victory in his 'Road To The UFC' final against China's Sulangrangbo.
Lui dropped the opening round, with Sulangrangbo's speed advantage giving him the edge in the striking exchanges, but Lui changed his approach and, using takedowns, suffocated Sulangrangbo in rounds two and three, while also landing some clean shots of his own.
Lui controlled Sulangrangbo against the cage for much of the third, earning a 29-28 (x2) and 29-28 split-decision win, and a full-time contract.
"It feels incredible," Lui said. "I knew he was a quick, fast, young athlete.
"I knew I would meet him in the final, the coaches had a great gameplan and I just followed it to a tee."
Fellow CKB fighter Cam Rowston picked up a round-two, TKO victory at light-heavyweight over American veteran Cody Brundage.
Coming courtesy of relentless ground and pound, a slicing elbow to the temple cut Brundage open followed by a flurry on the mat.
"This is going better than I imagined. Cody doesn't fight for followers, he fights for his family.
"I get someone on the ground, their back goes flat, they're done. Middleweights watching at home, choose how you wanna lose."
Follow the live action here:
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
