Din Thomas: Alexander Volkanovski in 'no-win situation' at UFC 325

Din Thomas thinks Alexander Volkanovski faces a difficult outlook at UFC 325.

Longtime UFC analyst Thomas is understanding of the decision to book Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in a rematch with Diego Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the Jan. 31 headliner at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney (Paramount+), but that's only from the promotion's perspective. From the champion's perspective, it's a vulnerable spot.

"I think Volk is in a no-win situation here," Thomas told MMA Junkie. "In a way he's in a no-win situation because if he wins it's like, 'Hey, you just beat this guy last year and there's two other guys that deserved it more than he does.'"

The two other guys Thomas refers to are unbeaten contenders Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev, both of whom were unsuccessful in their bids for a title shot. Instead they were passed over by Lopes, who lost a unanimous decision to Volkanovski in a vacant title bout at UFC 314 in April.

Lopes rebounded from the defeat to beat Jean Silva by thrilling stoppage in September, but for many fans who expressed outrage at the booking, it wasn't enough.

"I know who I know I think deserves a shot at the title: Lerone Murphy," Thomas said. "Lerone Murphy to me deserves a shot at the title. He's done everything the UFC's asked of him, but he doesn't scream entertainment, and Diego Lopes does. And it's just in terms of flipping a fight one week, another numbered event the next week – you've got to go with the guy who's going to sell. I think it's important to Paramount to get off to a really strong start and get more people and it's honestly better for the sport itself to have this fight as opposed to the meritocracy of Lerone Murphy, because he deserves it."

Lopes proved in the first fight with Volkanovski that he's capable of hurting the champion and giving him competitive rounds. How things will change in a rematch remain to be seen, but Thomas doesn't think a repeat performance will add much value to Volkanovski's already illustrious resume.

A defeat, however, would be crushing for the 37-year-old at this stage of his career, Thomas said. There has been retirement talk from Volkanovski already in recent years, and if the rematch goes the way Thomas thinks it will, he wouldn't be shocked if "The Great" put the gloves down in his native Australia.

"I think if he loses this might be it for him," Thomas said. "He's a Hall of Famer. If he loses this might be it for him, but if he wins he's going to continue to fight until he loses. If he wins this fight he's going to fight the next challenger, whoever that is. But if he loses this it's probably it for it.

"I think Diego does it this time. When you're 37 and already talking about retiring. I think a 34-year-old Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes 99 out of 100 times. I think a 37-year-old Volkanovski, it's not as many. I think Diego gets him this time."

To hear more from Thomas, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Din Thomas: Alexander Volkanovski in 'no-win situation' at UFC 325