UFC 325 Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2 Main Card Preview, Odds, Watch Info & FAQ

The UFC is bringing the action back to Australia for a huge 13 bout card at UFC 325. Featuring a rematch for the featherweight belt as the main event, Diego Lopes looks to make the most of his second opportunity with Alexander Volkanovski.

Many fans across the globe are highly anticipating the rematch as we have not seen Volkanovski fight since. Lopes big Knockout victory to earn him the shot has sent rumblings through the community that he may be the one to dethrone Volkanovski once and for all.

The Co – Main event is the perfect lead up to such a technical bout in the main event. The ever so exciting veterans in Benoit Saint – Denise will face off with the tough home town favorite Dan Hooker.

The match ups scattered through the card have fans very impaitent in waiting for such an exciting event. Now that weigh ins have made the bouts official lets not waste anymore time and get right into a preview of every fight on the main card of UFC 325, live from Sydney Australia!

All odds presented by our Partner at LuckyRebel as of 1/28/2025 1:22 p.M

Check out the odds for the entire card at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Diego Lopes 2 – Featherweight Championship

The Main Event of UFC 325 will be the second installment to the match up between 2 of the best featherweights in the world. Alexander Volkanovski returns to make his first title defense in a rematch with Diego Lopes.

The last time MMA fans saw Volkanovski in the cage was when he reclaimed the belt over Lopes. The bout was a Vacant Featherweight Championship match up, as former champion Ilia Topuria vacated the belt to move up to the Lightweight division.

In the first bout, Volkanovski showed his veteran presence winning a unanimous decision over the prospect. The Veteran proved he is not done after many questioned his age and length of his career.

In Proving all of his doubters wrong, he answered many questions about his skills at this point in his career. The chin held up the whole 5 rounds despite taking a lot of damage from Lopes, and the classic footwork is what once again secured the belt for him.

Diego Lopes had to fight his way back to this title shot due to the division being so stacked with contenders. Unlike Volkanovski, Diego Lopes showed up months later to dismantle Jean Silva in a fight of the year candidate.

The prospect proved he is one of the best in the world with a flashy KO finish. Earning himself over the legend Volkanovski, he hopes to make the most of his second opportunity at Featherweight Gold.

Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Diego Lopes Odds:

• Moneyline: Alexander Volkanovski (-135) vs Diego Lopes (+115)
• Round Total: 4.5 Total Rounds – Over (-110) / Under (-110)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Alexander Volkanovski By Points (+125)

Co – Main Event: Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint – Denise Preview – Lightweight

The Co – Main event is one of the more Violent match ups the UFC has made in recent memory. The proclaimed "God Of War" Benoit Saint – Denise will take on the Aussie brawler Dan Hooker in a 3 round bout.

Hooker will be making a quick turn around after losing his last bout to #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan just 2 months ago. A quick 2nd round submission is likely the reasoning, as Hooker did not take much damage in the bout.

In his long UFC career Hooker has always been willing to meet in the middle and throw down. A fighter that relies on his durability and aggression to out last his opponents over the duration of the fight.

At the ripe age of 35, many fans are beginning to question his chin due to the amount of damage he has taken in his career. A big test for those concerns will come against Saint – Denise, as he is a very aggressive prospect with big power in his hands.

Saint – Denise is riding the momentum of  a 3 fight winning streak. During his streak the French prospect has finished all 3 of his opponents in under 2 rounds.

A very aggressive move forward type of fighter, Saint – Denise will apply the pressure and willingness to throw down that Hooker needs to thrive. The big factor here will be Saint – Denise's grappling presence, with great submission skills and better wrestling.

Hooker has struggled against grapplers many times in his career with this match up not being much different. If there is one thing for sure, it is that this fight will be exciting and explosive from start to finish.

Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint – Denise Odds:

• Moneyline: Dan Hooker (+285) vs Benoit Saint – Denise (-350)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-150) / Under (+130)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Benoit Saint – Denise By Submission (+135)

Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy Preview – Lightweight

Top prospect Mauricio Ruffy will be looking to bounce back in a match up with technical striker Rafael Fiziev. In his last bout, Ruffy showed many holes in his grappling game leading to a 2nd round submission loss to Benoit Saint – Denise.

The loss was the first of his UFC career, gathering 3 straight wins previously with 2 knockouts. In addition the Prospect was gaining a lot of notoriety and hype in his rise to the top, so the loss was rather deflating to his career.

In his very next fight, the UFC has done him no favors matching him up with another top prospect. Rafael Fiziev is a proven UFC veteran riding the momentum of a big bounce back victory.

Over the course of his career Fiziev has garnered much hype through his technical striking. The veteran is the striking coach for one of the biggest Muay Thai gyms in the world, Tiger Muay thai.

The respect Fiziev receives through out the UFC community should prove some of his skills despite being 1-3 in his last 4 fights. This fight being much like his last bout, a match up over a tall and lengthy striker with big power in his hands.

Fiziev has proved his ability to win this type of fight before, but will the upcoming prospect Mauricio Ruffy be to much for him to handle?

Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy Odds:

• Moneyline: Rafael Fiziev (+102) vs Mauricio Ruffy (-122)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-170) / Under (+149)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Rafael Fiziev By Points (+170)

Tai Tuivasa vs Taillison Teixeira Preview – Heavyweight

Saturday Night will mark the return of Austrailian fan favorite Tai Tuivasa. The UFC has done him no favors in his return, giving him a tough match up against lengthy striker Tallison Teixeira.

Fans have not seen Tuivasa in action for almost 2 years now. The Home town favorite took a step back from fighting after losing 5 straight fights including 4 by finish.

I believe taking a step back to get the mind right and let his body heal may be a great career move for him. Before the break Tuivasa was very active and due to his brawler style he received a lot of damage in a short period of time.

Tuivasa has made a career out of knocking out big heavyweights in bouts where he is typically the underdog. This bout is no different as he finds himself as a big underdog to rising prospect Teixeira.

Texeira is not carrying much momentum into the match up as he was knocked out by Derrick Lewis in his last bout. The prospect received a UFC contract after a big finish win on the contender series in 2024.

The debut bout for Teixeira was also very exciting with a huge KO victory over fellow Aussie prospect Justin Tafa. The UFC may have given him to much to soon with a main event match up with legend Derrick Lewis.

Teixeira is young and very talented, the expectation is for him to bounce back and continue a run up the heavyweight rankings. Tai Tuivasa is no easy mountain to climb though, with his back against the wall and finally rested.

This will all prove to be an exciting match up between top heavyweights. Will Tai Tuivasa play spoiler and get back in the win column at home?

Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Texeira Odds:

• Moneyline: Tai Tuivasa (+255) vs Tallison Teixeira (-305)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+220) / Under (-267)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory:  Tallison Teixeira By KO/TKO (-185)

Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey Preview – Lightweight

A short notice match up between home town favorites will open the Main Card of UFC 325. Top upcoming prospect Quillan Salkilld was set to take on Rongzhu but due to injury on the Rongzhu side, veteran Jamie Mullarkey steps in.

This will be a dangerous fight for Mullarkey despite usually being matched up with top prospects. The veteran has become somewhat of a gate keeper for the lightweight division with the UFC often using him as a measuring stick for prospects.

Mullarkey has played spoiler many times over top prospects though. He has very solid wins on his record, using his grappling and fight IQ to secure wins.

Salkilld earned his UFC contract with a big finish victory on Dana White's contender series in 2024. Eager to start his UFC career, the prospect went on to fight 3x in 2025 making a name for himself in the process.

The winner of 3 straight bouts, the prospect has racked up 2 highlight reel knockouts in the span that has garnered much hype. This will be a great test for upcoming prospect Salkilld, as he has started his UFC career red hot.

Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey Odds:

• Moneyline: Quillan Salkilld (-950) vs Jamie Mullarkey (+650)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+125) / Under (-145)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Quillan Salkilld By KO/TKO (-140)

UFC 325 Schedule & FAQ:

When is UFC 325?

• UFC 325 will take place Saturday, January 31st, 2026.

Where is UFC 325?

• UFC 325 will go down live at The Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

What time does UFC 325 start?

• UFC 325 Early Preliminary Card Start time: 5 p.m. ET
• UFC 325 Preliminary Card start time: 7 p.m. ET
• UFC 325 Main Card start time: 9 p.m. ET

How to Watch UFC 325?

• UFC 325 Early Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC 325 Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC 325 Main Card Coverage: Paramount+

How to Bet on UFC 325?

• Most international and domestic sportsbooks will carry odds for a fight card of this caliber but click here for some sites and applications us bettors here at Betting News recommend for a great UFC betting experience.