The UFC makes its return to the land down under this Saturday, January 31, with UFC 325 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
We'll break down the best UFC 325 predictions for all fights on the main card on Saturday night, including PrizePicks UFC picks — where you can pick More or Less on fighter stats to win real money if you're right.
You can also predict UFC winners on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money, now available in 30 states.
The event is headlined by reigning featherweight champion Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes in a rematch of their UFC 314 showdown. Volkanovski defeated Lopes by unanimous decision in their first encounter last April, but now Lopes gets his opportunity for redemption.
The UFC 325 main card is stacked with compelling fights, including Rafaeel Fiziev vs. Maurício Ruffy with their explosive, high-octane striking styles. Plus, heavyweight knockout artist Tai Tuivasa seeks to snap an extended losing streak against Brazilian power puncher Tallison Teixeira in what could be a career-defining bout.
Let's dive into our UFC 325 best picks and predictions for every main card fight, including picks on fighter projections for PrizePicks.
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UFC 325 Predictions for Main Card Fights: What You Need to Know
Let us set the stage for what is a loaded UFC 325 main card this Saturday for UFC's second numbered event ever on Paramount+.
Let us set the stage for what is a loaded UFC 325 main card this Saturday for UFC's return to Sydney — get ready for a stacked fight card from the land down under!
Volkanovski vs. Lopes:
Alexander Volkanovski (27-4) defends his featherweight throne against Diego Lopes (27-7) in a rematch that promises to end the night with a Fight of the Night potential masterpiece. Lopes aims for redemption after their first encounter, with the Australian champion's precision striking and championship composure tested by Lopes' dangerous power and volume.
Hooker vs. Saint-Denis:
Dan Hooker (24-13) clashes with Benoit Saint-Denis (16-3) in a lightweight showcase that will showcase striking excellence and grappling prowess. "The Hangman" returns home to the Pacific region seeking to reclaim his position among the elite, while Saint-Denis pursues his ascent with the explosiveness and power that have defined his rise through the ranks.
Fiziev vs. Ruffy:
Rafael Fiziev (13-4) faces Maurício Ruffy (12-2) in a high-octane lightweight battle where both fighters bring elite-level striking and offensive urgency. Fiziev's technical precision meets Ruffy's speed and diverse striking arsenal in what shapes as a potential striking clinic that could steal the show.
Tuivasa vs. Teixeira:
Tai Tuivasa (14-8) seeks redemption against Tallison Teixeira (8-1) in a heavyweight clash with massive implications for both men's careers. The Australian knockout artist desperately needs a victory while the rising Brazilian prospect aims to prove his legitimacy among the division's heavyweights.
Salkilld vs. Mullarkey:
Quillan Salkilld (10-1) takes on Jamie Mullarkey (18-8) in a lightweight matchup featuring contrasting styles and career trajectories. Salkilld looks to extend his undefeated UFC run while the 31-year-old Mullarkey battles to reignite his push toward consistent relevance in one of the promotion's deepest divisions.
UFC 325 Predictions, Picks for Main Card
Here are our expert UFC 325 predictions and picks. All picks are available via PrizePicks UFC board. You can also pick fight winners on PrizePicks Team Picks in 30+ states.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes Prediction for UFC 325 Main Event
Fight Winner Payouts: Volkanovski 1.63x ($100 pays $163) | Lopes 2.17x (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
UFC 325 Pick: Alexander Volkanovski – 104.5 Significant Strikes
- Diego Lopes absorbs 4.72 significant strikes per minute, among the highest rates among active ranked featherweights.
- That's significantly above the 3.36 per minute threshold that Volkanovski typically absorbs.
- In their first meeting at UFC 314, Volkanovski landed 158 significant strikes over five rounds, demonstrating his ability to hit his current projection even against a durable opponent like Lopes.
- Over a potential 25 minutes, Volkanovski needs to average just 4.18 significant strikes per minute to surpass his projection — he currently lands 6.18 per minute.
- This fight is currently projected to last longer than 4.5, and with Volkanovski’s pace, there is a real chance that we can see a back-and-forth battle between these two featherweights.
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Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint-Denis Prediction for UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Fight Winner Payouts: Hooker 3.7x ($100 pays $370) | Saint-Denis 1.25x (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
UFC 325 Pick: Dan Hooker – 30.5 Significant Strikes
- Benoit Saint-Denis absorbs 4.21 significant strikes per minute despite absorbing just 20 strikes across his last three fights.
- Hooker consistently exceeds this 30.5 significant strikes projection when fights extend past the opening round — he landed 65 significant strikes against Mateusz Gamrot, 125 against Jalin Turner, and 73 against Nasrat Haqparast.
- Unlike grappling-heavy opponents who keep fights on the mat, Saint-Denis' aggressive forward pressure and 42% striking defense create a high-volume striking battle.
- Meanwhile, Hooker will have ample opportunities to land counters at distance.
- Hooker averages 4.89 significant strikes landed per minute; at his standard pace and accuracy (48%) — he only needs approximately 7 minutes of fight time to exceed his projection.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy Prediction for UFC 325
Fight Winner Payouts: Fiziev 1.88x ($100 pays $188) | Ruffy 1.81x (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
UFC 325 Pick: Rafael Fiziev – 59.5 Significant Strikes
- Mauricio Ruffy absorbs 4.16 significant strikes per minute, allowing a fighter like James Llontop to land 90 significant strikes who’s been released by the promotion.
- "Ataman" consistently shatters this 59.5 significant strikes projection in his UFC career — he has landed at least 60 strikes in eight of his 11 UFC fights.
- Unlike grappling-heavy bouts that stifle his offense, Ruffy averages zero takedowns landed per 15 minutes and has an 84% takedown defense, forcing a stand-up affair where Fiziev has ample opportunities to showcase his elite Muay Thai striking.
- Fiziev averages 4.77 significant strikes landed per minute — he needs approximately 12.5 minutes of fight time to exceed his 59.5 significant strikes projection.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira Prediction for UFC 325
Fight Winner Payouts: Tuivasa 3.33x ($100 pays $333) | Teixeira 1.31x (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
UFC 325 Pick: Tuivasa-Teixeira 4.5 Minutes (Fight Time)
- Both fighters are first-round knockout specialists — Tuivasa has 12 first-round finishes in his career with five wins in 49 seconds or less, while Teixeira has 8 first-round finishes with five wins in under two minutes.
- Teixeira's recent UFC history shows explosive early-fight endings — his KO win over Justin Tafa came at 0:35 of Round 1, and his only UFC loss to Derrick Lewis also ended at 0:35 of Round 1, proving fights involving him rarely escape the opening frame.
- Tuivasa's defensive vulnerabilities make him a prime target for early finishes — he absorbs 5.18 significant strikes per minute with only 44% striking defense, the worst among active ranked heavyweights, and has been finished in the first round two times in his last four losses.
- Neither heavyweight has the cardio profile for extended battles — when Tuivasa's fights do extend past Round 1, it's typically because both fighters are exhausted from the initial exchange rather than tactical patience, and Teixeira has never seen a second round in his nine-fight professional career, maintaining a perfect 100% first-round finish rate.
Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey Prediction for UFC 325
Fight Winner Payouts: Salkilld 1.11x ($100 pays $111) | Mullarkey 5.88x (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
UFC 325 Pick: Quillan Salkilld 30.5 Significant Strikes
- Jamie Mullarkey absorbs 4.34 significant strikes per minute with a 54% defense rate, often getting drawn into brawls where he takes considerable damage.
- Quillan Salkilld lands an impressive 5.49 significant strikes per minute with 57% accuracy.
- In his recent UFC performances, Salkilld has landed at least 31 strikes in two out of his last four fights, with one of those coming from Dana White’s Contender Series, which ultimately secured his UFC contract.
- Mullarkey’s durability has been tested repeatedly, having been finished by knockout in four of his last six losses.
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Make UFC 325 Predictions on PrizePicks
UFC 325, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, is set to be a fantastic main event rematch on Saturday, with the featherweight title on the line, plus plenty of important fights on the main card.
Volkanovski attempts to defend his throne one more time; meanwhile, Lopes looks to finally get over the hurdle of Volkanovski and wrap featherweight gold around his waist come Saturday night.
Before you watch the fights, with main card starting at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+, you can lock in your UFC picks on PrizePicks – it’s the simplest way to win real money if your predictions are right on UFC 325: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes.
Head over to the PrizePicks app and pick More or Less on two or more fighter projections in FC 325: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, and lock in your lineup to win real money on the fights if you're right. You can also predict UFC fight winners on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
Keep it locked in here with PrizePicks and the Playbook for continued UFC picks, predictions, and news.
