UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2
Sydney is calling, and the UFC is answering with a stacked UFC 325 lineup. From the tactical brilliance of Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 to the inevitable firefight between Hooker and Saint-Denis, this Saturday promises to be a career-defining night for the featherweight and lightweight divisions. Will the legends hold their ground, or is a new guard ready to take over? Let’s dive into the UFC 325 Picks and Predictions – Main & Co-Main Event Breakdown and Analysis
Alexander Volkanovski (-149) VS Diego Lopes (+127)
The analysis for this matchup is relatively simple. Rather than focusing on career-spanning data, we can look directly at their previous encounter at UFC 314 in Miami, where the legendary Alexander Volkanovski emerged victorious.
In my opinion, the key for Diego Lopes will be to focus on finishing the former champion. I believe a finish is his only clear path to victory. However, as we’ve seen, only Ilia Topuria has been able to stop him in this division, so this is certainly not an easy task.
We must also take into account that Volkanovski is fighting in Australia. We’ve already seen the level he competes at when fighting on home soil. Taking all of this into consideration, I foresee the fight following a similar script to their first encounter, with the champion successfully defending his belt via decision.”
My Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski via Decision
UFC 325 Co-Main Event Breakdown
Dan Hooker (+270) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-333)
Dan Hooker looks to get back on the title picture as he faces Benoit Saint-Denis. Hooker is coming off a loss to Arman Tsarukyan in his last bout, whereas Saint-Denis has bounced back from his defeat against Moicano by securing three consecutive finishes.
In this matchup, I see Saint-Denis as the clear favorite. His aggressive style will likely force Hooker into making mistakes, eventually leading the fight on the ground. Once on the ground, the Frenchman’s offensive grappling outmatches Hooker’s, and if the fight stays there, we will likely see a stoppage. We must also consider Benoit Saint-Denis’ current form. After observing Nassourdine Imavov’s success, he realized a change of a gym was necessary and joined coach Nicolas Ott’s team. This move had a positive impact on his career. This camp has successfully channeled his raw energy and power into a more technical and winning direction. Since working with them, he has transformed his chaotic style into a strategic asset, and the results speak for themselves.
As for ‘Hangman’ Dan Hooker, while his desire to fight his way back into the title picture is undeniable, I don’t believe grit alone will be enough. He will undoubtedly fight to the end and will put everything in every exchange, but I still struggle to see a clear path for him to stop the Frenchman. His only real opening would be if Saint-Denis decides to play Hooker’s game and engage in a pure stand and bang. However, I highly doubt Saint-Denis will enter the Octagon with such a risky game plan.
My Prediction : Benoit St.Denis by Submission
Betting Breakdown: Where to Place Your Action
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Rafael Fiziev (+102) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-119)
Two lightweight striking masters are set to collide at UFC 325. If one thing is guaranteed in this matchup, it is a pure spectacle and the fans are the certain winners here. Determining the winner in this battle is a difficult mission.
Both fighters are elite-level strikers who prefer to find their opportunities on the feet. Ruffy will hold the advantage in both height and reach. Expect him to work cautiously with single, calculated strikes—a hallmark of his style. Ruffy typically analyzes his opponent’s movements mid-fight and utilizes his length to find the target.
However, height and reach deficits rarely intimidate a striker of Fiziev’s caliber, a point he proved in his recent outing against Ignacio Bahamondes. Fiziev possesses a high-level ability to read incoming attacks and evade calculated single strikes; his “Matrix-like” head movement is legendary. This defensive wizardry will make it significantly harder for Ruffy to capitalize on his physical advantages.
Furthermore, despite Fiziev’s striking base, his grappling should not be overlooked. He is more than capable of mixing in wrestling, having secured a total of six takedowns across his bouts with Justin Gaethje and Bahamondes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him test Ruffy’s grappling defense. Given these factors, Ruffy may find it difficult to land that one decisive shot needed to secure the win.
Final Prediction: Rafael Fiziev (+102)
Tai Tuivasa (+290) vs. Tallison Teixeira (-357)
After a significant layoff, the fan-favorite heavyweight brawler Tai Tuivasa returns to the Octagon to face the 24-year-old Brazilian, Tallison Teixeira. In his most recent outing, Teixeira suffered a setback against Derrick Lewis, falling into “The Black Beast’s” trap and succumbing to an early finish.
The outcome of this matchup likely hinges on Teixeira’s discipline. If he remains cautious and effectively utilizes his massive physical advantages – specifically his height and reach -he should be able to overcome a version of Tuivasa that appears to be struggling with motivation. Standing at 6’7″ against Tuivasa’s 6’2″, the height disparity is striking; it is difficult to envision Tuivasa landing a fight-ending blow unless he can lure Teixeira into another tactical error. Given Teixeira’s recent experience with Lewis, he is unlikely to fall for the same trick twice.
While we have a mountain of data on Tuivasa, information on Teixeira remains limited due to his brief tenure in the UFC. From what we have seen, his style isn’t necessarily flashy or overwhelming. This makes it difficult to state with absolute certainty that he can dominate even a Tuivasa on a five-fight losing streak. Tuivasa is an experienced, heavy-handed veteran, and there is always a path to victory for him if he has regained his focus.
If this were Tuivasa in his prime, he would likely be the favorite. However, current uncertainties regarding Tuivasa’s form and Teixeira’s true ceiling make this a complex fight to call. For those looking for value in an underdog, Tuivasa is the play; however, based on the physical tools and recent trajectories, the safer bet lies with the Brazilian.
Final Prediction: Tallison Teixeira (-357)
Quillan Salkilld (-909) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (+620)
One of 2025’s standout performers, Quillan Salkilld, returns to the Octagon at UFC 325 looking to deliver another highlight-reel moment. At just 26 years old, Salkilld is a highly versatile prospect with the trajectory of a future contender. A look at his recent tape reveals a fighter with a high fight IQ who consistently executes the necessary game plan for victory.
In his last win against the boxing-heavy Nasrat Haqparast, Salkilld managed the distance beautifully, using long-range strikes to download his opponent’s movement data before landing a brutal finishing blow. Conversely, against Ismael Bonfim (Ashmouz), a fighter known for his devastating power, Salkilld opted for a wrestling-heavy approach. This ability to adapt his style to his opponent’s weaknesses inspires immense confidence in his tactical preparation.
On the other side of the cage, veteran Jamie Mullarkey has been a fixture in the UFC since 2019. Over 12 promotional bouts, Mullarkey has posted a 6-6 record; notably, four of those losses have come via knockout.
While the odds are heavily skewed, the lopsided line feels justified. Salkilld is expected to navigate the Mullarkey hurdle with relative ease. In this “Battle of Australia” taking place in Sydney, expect Salkilld to be highly motivated to secure another emphatic finish, much like he did against Haqparast. Given Mullarkey’s recent durability issues and Salkilld’s clinical striking, a knockout finish is the most probable outcome.
The Pick: Quillan Salkilld by KO/TKO (-145)
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