Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host UFC 325, an event headlined by a highly anticipated featherweight title rematch between reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski and surging contender Diego Lopes. The card, featuring 13 bouts in total, promises a night of crucial matchups across various divisions, broadcasting live from the event venue on Paramount+ with the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET.
Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes II – Featherweight Title Bout
The marquee attraction of UFC 325 sees Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) defending his featherweight championship against Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in a repeat of their compelling encounter at UFC 314 just this past April. The first contest, a unanimous decision victory for Volkanovski (48-47, 49-46 x2), was lauded for its intensity and competitive nature, with Lopes pushing the long-reigning champion to his limits.
Volkanovski, widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweights in the sport’s history, enters this bout seeking to re-establish his undisputed dominance following a challenging period in his career. Prior to his first encounter with Lopes, the Australian champion had experienced a rare two-fight skid. This included a second lightweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, taken on short notice, which resulted in a first-round knockout loss. Before that, his initial lightweight title bid against Makhachev at UFC 284 was a closely contested unanimous decision defeat. His subsequent return to featherweight saw him lose his undisputed title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 via a second-round knockout, marking a significant shift in the division’s landscape. The victory over Lopes at UFC 314, therefore, served as a crucial bounce-back moment for Volkanovski, demonstrating his resilience and ability to perform under pressure, even if the performance was not as dominant as some of his prior title defenses. In their initial meeting, Volkanovski showcased his trademark striking precision and defensive grappling, landing a significant number of strikes while navigating Lopes’s dangerous submission attempts. The judges’ scorecards reflected a competitive fight, highlighting Lopes’s ability to challenge the champion’s composure and technical skill.
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Diego Lopes, a Brazilian submission specialist known for his aggressive and opportunistic fighting style, earned this immediate title shot through a combination of his impressive performance against Volkanovski and a subsequent decisive victory. Despite the loss in their first encounter, Lopes’s performance against Volkanovski garnered significant praise, with many observers noting his daring grappling exchanges and willingness to engage the champion. He showcased an advanced ground game, threatening Volkanovski with submissions and controlling portions of the fight on the mat. Following that bout, Lopes returned to the Octagon at Noche UFC this past September, where he delivered a spectacular second-round knockout victory over Jean Silva. This emphatic finish not only improved his professional record but also solidified his standing as a legitimate threat in the featherweight division, demonstrating an evolution in his striking game to complement his already elite jiu-jitsu. His rapid ascent in the UFC, marked by a series of finishes and exciting performances, has positioned him as one of the most compelling challengers in the division. For Lopes, this rematch represents a golden opportunity to capitalize on the lessons learned from the first fight and potentially capture his first UFC championship.
The dynamics of this rematch are expected to be intense. Volkanovski will aim to deliver a more conclusive performance, reaffirming his status at the pinnacle of the featherweight division and demonstrating that his recent challenges have only strengthened his resolve. His camp will likely focus on nullifying Lopes’s submission threats while exploiting any openings in the challenger’s stand-up game. Lopes, on the other hand, will seek to refine his strategy, potentially leveraging his improved striking to set up his renowned grappling, aiming to replicate the moments of success he found in their first meeting and convert them into a finish or a clearer decision victory. The stakes are profoundly high for both athletes: for Volkanovski, it is about legacy and proving his continued elite status; for Lopes, it is about seizing a career-defining opportunity to become a UFC world champion.
Co-Main Event: Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis – Lightweight Bout
The co-main event features a pivotal lightweight clash between two aggressive and fan-favorite fighters, Dan "The Hangman" Hooker (23-12 MMA, 13-8 UFC) and Benoit "God of War" Saint Denis (13-2, 1 NC MMA, 5-2 UFC). Both competitors are known for their high-octane fighting styles and have demonstrated a similar trajectory in their recent outings, each securing three victories in their past five contests.
Dan Hooker, a seasoned veteran from New Zealand, has consistently been a challenging presence in the lightweight division for years. Known for his technical striking, incredible durability, and willingness to engage in wars, Hooker has faced a murderers’ row of opponents throughout his UFC career. His recent record reflects the demanding nature of his division, with notable wins showcasing his capabilities and losses typically coming against top-tier contenders. Hooker’s last five fights have seen him defeat Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles, and Nasrat Haqparast, while suffering losses to Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler. His ability to weather storms and deliver highlight-reel finishes makes him a perennial threat. A victory over Saint Denis would solidify his position in the top half of the lightweight rankings and potentially set him up for another run at the division’s elite.
Benoit Saint Denis, representing France, has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks with a relentless, high-pressure approach. "God of War" combines powerful striking with aggressive grappling, often overwhelming opponents with his pace and physicality. His three wins in his last five outings have been particularly impressive, including finishes over Ismael Bonfim, Gabriel Miranda, and Thiago Moises. His only recent loss came against Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, a fight where Saint Denis showed flashes of brilliance before ultimately succumbing to the veteran’s power. His aggressive style and finishing instincts have quickly made him a must-watch fighter. For Saint Denis, a win against a respected veteran like Hooker would be a significant step forward, signaling his readiness for top-10 competition and further cementing his status as a formidable force in the lightweight division.
The stylistic matchup between Hooker and Saint Denis promises an explosive encounter. Both fighters are unlikely to shy away from exchanges, suggesting a high probability of a stand-up war. Hooker’s reach and technical boxing could counter Saint Denis’s relentless forward pressure, while Saint Denis’s grappling and ground-and-pound could pose a significant threat if he can get Hooker to the mat. The fight is a crucial test for both men, with the winner gaining considerable momentum in one of the UFC’s most stacked divisions.
Main Card Features
Beyond the headline acts, UFC 325’s main card presents several other compelling matchups:
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight): Rafael Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), a dynamic striker, is expected to make his return to action. Known for his devastating Muay Thai and thrilling contests, Fiziev will look to re-establish his contender status. He faces Mauricio Ruffy (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who made an impactful UFC debut and aims to continue his ascent against a highly-ranked opponent. This lightweight clash has significant implications for the division’s top 15.
- Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight): Heavyweight knockout artist Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa (14-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC) is set to meet Tallison Teixeira (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who is likely making his organizational debut. Tuivasa, known for his powerful striking and celebratory "shoey" tradition, will be eager to snap a recent skid and reassert himself in the heavyweight division. Teixeira will aim to make a memorable first impression against a well-known opponent. This bout promises a high likelihood of a finish.
- Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey (Featherweight): A featherweight contest between Quillan Salkilld (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), potentially making his debut after a strong regional showing, and Jamie Mullarkey (17-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC), an experienced and durable fighter. Mullarkey consistently delivers exciting performances and will look to welcome Salkilld to the UFC with a tough challenge.
Prelims and Early Prelims
The preliminary card, airing on Paramount+ starting at 7 p.m. ET, and the early prelims, also on Paramount+ from 5 p.m. ET, round out the 13-bout fight card, featuring a mix of promising newcomers and established fighters looking to climb the ranks.
Notable matchups include:
- Junior Tafa vs. Billy Elekana (Heavyweight): A heavyweight showdown featuring Junior Tafa (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), who brings significant striking power, against Billy Elekana (5-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), likely making his UFC debut.
- Cam Rowston vs. Cody Brundage (Middleweight): Cam Rowston (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) aims for his first UFC victory against Cody Brundage (8-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC), a fighter known for his grappling and power.
- Jacob Malkoun vs. Torrez Finney (Middleweight): Jacob Malkoun (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), a grappling-focused middleweight, takes on Torrez Finney (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who could be making his promotional debut.
The early prelims will showcase international talent and emerging prospects, including Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott, Kaan Ofli vs. Yizha, Sangwook Kim vs. Dom Mar Fan, Keiichiro Nakamura vs. Sebastian Szalay, Sulangrangbo vs. Lawrence Lui, and Aaron Tau vs. Namsrai Batbayar, providing a full slate of action leading into the main card.
UFC 325 is scheduled to air entirely on Paramount+, with the early preliminary card kicking off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the preliminary card at 7 p.m. ET, and the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET. The event is poised to deliver a night of high-stakes contests and significant developments across multiple divisions.
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