The second UFC card on Paramount+ brings a pound-for-pound staple back to center stage — and he’ll be defending his crown in front of a home crowd.
UFC 325 heads to Sydney as Alexander Volkanovski puts the UFC featherweight title on the line in a rematch against Diego Lopes.
Volkanovski (27-4) first met Lopes at UFC 314, when the featherweight belt was vacant. He controlled the fight from start to finish to reclaim gold and become a two-time champion. While the 37-year-old has gone 2-2 over his past six fights, the Aussie looks refreshed and re-energized heading into a headline defense on home soil.
Lopes (27-2) has surged into the title picture after a statement win over Jean Silva, earning a quick return shot at Volkanovski. The Brazilian now gets his chance to flip the script, grab the belt, and ruin Volkanovski’s Sydney homecoming.
Also on the card, Dan Hooker meets Benoit Saint-Denis in a pivotal lightweight matchup with major implications for the division’s next wave of contenders. Elsewhere, Rafael Fiziev looks to climb back into the title mix, and Tai Tuivasa tries to snap a long skid and earn his first win since 2022.
Below are AllSportsPeople’ predictions for the full UFC 325 main card.
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes 2 for the UFC featherweight title
Volkanovski lands 6.18 significant strikes per minute and has a 56% strike accuracy mark. He averages 1.67 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Lopes lands 4.10 significant strikes, has a 48% connect mark, and averages 0.79 takedowns landed.
The last time they fought, Volkanovski landed 158 significant strikes and one takedown. Lopes landed 63 strikes. Lopes landed three takedowns against Jean Silva, but was that enough to prove he can take Volkanovski down?
Volkanovski is on a level above everyone else. He’s well-prepared, technical, and can be both reserved and violent when he wants to be. “The Great” has a jab that can provide plenty of damage. In the pocket, nobody may be better than Volkanovski.
Has Lopes adapted, or will this result be more of the same? He may need to go for broke. It’s not hard to believe this fight will be a rerun of the first one, with Volkanovski dominating on all fronts. He may even land more takedowns.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Volkanovski via unanimous decision
Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint-Denis; Lightweights
Saint-Denis lands 5.07 significant strikes per minute, has a 55% strike accuracy mark, and averages 4.33 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Hooker lands 4.89 significant strikes, has a 48% accuracy mark, and averages 0.71 takedowns landed.
“Hangman" is one of the most entertaining fighters on the roster. The fighter from New Zealand did not last long against Arman Tsarukyan, but there may have been distractions on all fronts (example: the headbutt by Tsarukyan before the fight).
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There are moments where Hooker is as dangerous as they come. However, he is susceptible to making nonsensical mistakes. Saint-Denis has rallied back from two straight losses by finishing three straight opponents. Can Hooker prove his value, or will “God of War” take him down?
AllSportsPeople believes in Hooker, who has a two-inch reach advantage and can brawl with the best of them. He will have to be smart and reserved to start.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Hooker via TKO (round three)
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy; Lightweights
Fiziev lands 4.77 significant strikes per minute. He also averages 0.89 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, landing six in his last two fights. Ruffy lands 3.84 significant strikes. Both fighters absorb plenty of strikes (4.77 for Fiziev, 4.16 for Ruffy).
Ruffy got submitted against Benoit Saint-Denis, while Fiziev ended a three-fight losing streak against Ignacio Bahamondes. The former has a four-inch reach advantage. It wasn’t long ago that Fiziev was a top-tier lightweight.
Ruffy is a knockout machine, but Fiziev is someone not to take lightly. If changing things up on the floor means a rejuvenated Fiziev (where he could land several knockout shots), it could be a bad time at the office for Ruffy.
AllSportsPeople prediction: Fiziev via TKO (round one)
Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira; Heavyweights
A fan favorite, Tuivasa lands 2.77 significant strikes per minute. He's currently on a five-fight losing streak and hasn’t fought in 18 months. None of Teixeira's fights in the octagon have made it past the first round. He lands 12.83 significant strikes.
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Teixeira failed a test against Derrick Lewis. Known for his knockout power, can Teixeira quickly take out Tuivasa? “Bam Bam” needs a win to stay employed, and the Aussie could go the Lewis route and attempt to brawl his way to a victory. AllSportsPeople predicts a homecoming to remember. Don’t blink!
AllSportsPeople prediction: Tuivasa via TKO (round one)
Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey; Lightweights
Salkilld is an exciting prospect who lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute. He also averages 7.77 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. A veteran, Mullarkey lands 4.20 significant strikes and averages 2.40 takedowns landed.
Salkilld has quickly risen to be a true threat, with two of his four fights in the octagon not making it past the first round. Not only can he strike, but he can suffocate you on the floor. A veteran, Mullarkey has been outstruck in his last three fights. Being a replacement opponent, Mullarkey may be a sacrificial lamb for Salkilld’s progress.