Ali Akbar Rosady
Sydney, Australia – The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park this Saturday, January 31, 2026, for UFC 325, featuring a highly anticipated featherweight championship rematch between reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski and the surging No. 2 contender, Diego Lopes. The event marks the second UFC numbered card to be streamed live on Paramount+, with preliminary bouts scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at approximately 9 p.m. ET.
The main event pits two of the featherweight division’s most exciting talents against each other in a rematch of their epic encounter at UFC 314 last April. In that bout, which was contested for the then-vacant UFC featherweight championship, Volkanovski emerged victorious via unanimous decision in a contest widely hailed as "Fight of the Night." The first fight was a testament to both men’s grit and skill, with Lopes pushing the veteran champion to his limits, showcasing his formidable grappling and aggressive striking, while Volkanovski demonstrated his signature tactical brilliance and unwavering resolve.
Champion Alexander Volkanovski, a 37-year-old Australian icon, enters this contest as a -148 favorite, meaning a bet of $148 would yield a $100 profit, according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. His challenger, the 31-year-old Brazilian Diego Lopes, is listed as a +124 underdog. These odds reflect the competitive nature of their first encounter and the perceived improvements from Lopes since then, while still acknowledging Volkanovski’s status as a proven champion.
Volkanovski, who stands at No. 5 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, boasts an impressive professional record of 27 wins and 4 losses. His victories include 13 by knockout, three by submission, and 11 by decision. Known for his elite striking, strategic pressure, and exceptional fight IQ, Volkanovski has solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best. He made history as the first Australian-born fighter to win a UFC title and, at 36 years and 195 days, became the oldest fighter in history to claim the UFC featherweight championship. Prior to his MMA career, Volkanovski also competed as a professional boxer, winning his sole bout by unanimous decision in 2015. His only career losses in MMA include three by knockout and one by decision, highlighting his overall durability. Australian MMA recognized his exceptional year by naming him the 2025 Male Next Level Fighter of the Year.
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Diego Lopes, with a career record of 27 wins and 7 losses, has quickly become a fan favorite due to his aggressive, submission-heavy style. His record includes 11 knockouts, 12 submissions, and four decisions, demonstrating his versatility as a finisher. Lopes’s journey to the top tier of the UFC has been marked by resilience. He began his professional career in 2012 in Brazil, later competing in Mexico and the LUX Fight League. His initial attempt to enter the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series 37 in 2021 resulted in a loss to Joanderson Brito, but his talent was recognized, leading to his eventual signing. His UFC debut at UFC 288, a unanimous decision loss to Movsar Evloev, also earned "Fight of the Night" honors, underscoring his propensity for thrilling contests. Since that debut, Lopes has been on a remarkable run, securing six victories in his last seven outings, cementing his position as a legitimate threat to the featherweight crown.
The co-main event features a lightweight clash between sixth-ranked Dan "The Hangman" Hooker and eighth-ranked Benoit "God of War" Saint Denis. Hooker, a veteran known for his Muay Thai striking and unwavering toughness, enters as a significant underdog at +295. His opponent, Benoit Saint Denis, a formidable grappler and relentless pressure fighter, is the heavy favorite at -375. Saint Denis has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks with a series of dominant performances, showcasing his explosive power and submission prowess. This matchup promises a high-octane affair, with Hooker looking to leverage his striking accuracy against Saint Denis’s relentless forward pressure and grappling attacks.
Before any final decisions on UFC 325 betting picks, fans and bettors are encouraged to consult the insights of seasoned MMA analysts. SportsLine expert Kyle Marley, renowned for his consistent track record, has provided his predictions and betting advice for the entire UFC 325 card. Marley’s expertise has translated into significant returns for those who have followed his selections, with $100 bettors accumulating nearly $10,000 in profits over the past three-plus years, and a staggering return of over $21,000 since May 2018. His accomplishments include correctly predicting five consecutive main-event underdog winners in 2020 and achieving a 7-4 record on his picks from the most recent UFC event.
Marley has meticulously analyzed the Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 bout from every conceivable angle, along with all other matchups on the card, to identify his top betting picks and best bets. Among his early revealed picks, Marley is backing Billy Elekana (-258) to secure a victory via decision against Junior Tafa.
Explaining his reasoning for the Elekana-Tafa prediction, Marley stated, "Tafa might get the striking match that he needs here, but I’m sure Elekana could run through him with wrestling if he wants, because Tafa is that bad on the ground. Elekana can win a striking match here as well, but that is just going to be a closer fight, and he put himself at risk of getting knocked out. I hope he wrestles, but give me Elekana to win a decision."
UFC 325 also features several other compelling matchups on the main card. Rafael Fiziev, known for his dynamic striking, is a narrow -122 favorite against Mauricio Ruffy (+102) in a lightweight bout. Heavyweight fan favorite Tai Tuivasa (+260), known for his knockout power, faces the highly-regarded Tallison Teixeira (-325). Rounding out the initial main card odds, Quillan Salkilld is a prohibitive favorite at -1000 against Jamie Mullarkey (+676), indicating a significant perceived mismatch.
For viewers in the United States, UFC 325 holds additional significance as it is the second numbered UFC event to be exclusively streamed live on Paramount+. This shift means that all UFC numbered events and UFC Fight Night cards are now available to subscribers at no additional cost, moving away from the traditional Pay-Per-View model. Paramount+ subscribers also gain access to a comprehensive library of pre-fight docuseries, full-length fight replays, and an extensive archive of past UFC events, offering a complete MMA viewing experience.
UFC 325 Main Card Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook; subject to change):
- Alexander Volkanovski (-148) vs. Diego Lopes (+124)
- Dan Hooker (+295) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (-375)
- Rafael Fiziev (-122) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (+102)
- Tai Tuivasa (+260) vs. Tallison Teixeira (-325)
- Quillan Salkilld (-1000) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (+676)
For detailed predictions and in-depth analysis for Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 and every other bout on the UFC 325 card, including a favored fighter who Marley believes is "the better overall fighter" poised for a big victory, SportsLine offers comprehensive insights. New users interested in sports betting can also leverage current promotions, such as DraftKings Sportsbook’s offer of $300 in bonus bets with a winning $5 wager, or bet365’s offer of $200 in bonus bets after placing a $5 bet.
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