The world of mixed martial arts is buzzing as we look forward to a massive night of fighting. UFC 325 is the talk of the town, and for a good reason. The event brings us back to Sydney, Australia, where the fans are some of the loudest in the world. At the top of the bill, we have a rematch that everyone has been asking for.
In this article, we will dive deep into the UFC 325 main event predictions. We will also look at the full fight card analysis to help you understand who has the edge. Whether you are looking for the best betting odds, searching for expert picks, or trying to find that perfect underdog value, we have you covered.
The Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2
The main event is a featherweight title fight between the legendary Alexander Volkanovski and the rising star Diego Lopes. This is the second time these two warriors will meet inside the Octagon. Their first fight was a close battle that showed just how tough both men are.
The Story of Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski is a hero in Australia. He held the belt for a long time and beat almost everyone in his path. Even though he is now over 35 years old—an age where many fighters start to slow down—he continues to prove the doubters wrong.
Volkanovski is known for his incredible cardio and his high fight IQ. He does not just throw punches; he picks his opponents apart. In the first fight against Lopes, he used his leg kicks and wrestling to stay ahead. He won by a unanimous decision, but it wasn't easy. Coming into this rematch, Volkanovski has the home-field advantage. Fighting in Sydney means he will have thousands of fans screaming his name, which can give a fighter a second wind in the later rounds.
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The Rise of Diego Lopes
Diego Lopes is a different kind of threat. He is a finishing machine with dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and power in his hands. Since their last fight, Lopes has grown a lot. He has gained more experience and has shown that he can hurt people early.
Many people believe Lopes was just one or two moves away from an upset in their first meeting. He had Volkanovski in a few tight spots on the ground. In this rematch, Lopes will likely look to be more aggressive. He knows he can’t outpoint Volkanovski over five rounds, so his goal will be to find a finish.
Main Event Prediction
When looking at UFC 325 Main Event Predictions, the experts are split.
- The Case for Volkanovski: He is more well-rounded. He can win the fight on his feet or on the ground. His experience in five-round championship fights is a huge plus.
- The Case for Lopes: He is younger, hungrier, and has the power to end the night with one shot.
Our Pick: We expect Volkanovski to use his wrestling and smart striking to win a close decision. However, Lopes is a live dog, and an early knockout wouldn't surprise anyone.
Full Fight Card Analysis: The Co-Main and More
The rest of the card is just as exciting. Our full fight card analysis shows that the UFC has put together a mix of veteran stars and young prospects.
Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
This is a lightweight fight that promises "Fight of the Night" honors. Dan "The Hangman" Hooker is a fan favorite from New Zealand. He is a tall striker who loves to get into brawls.
On the other side, Benoit Saint-Denis is a powerhouse from France. He is known for his relentless pressure and wrestling. Saint-Denis often tries to take his opponents down and wear them out.
- Analysis: If the fight stays on the feet, Hooker has a great chance. If Saint-Denis can get the clinch and take the fight to the floor, it might be a long night for the Kiwi.
- Prediction: Most Expert Picks lean toward Saint-Denis winning by submission in the second or third round.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira
In the heavyweight division, we have a clash of giants. Tai Tuivasa is fighting in front of his home crowd in Sydney. He needs a win badly after a string of losses. He is a heavy hitter who loves a "shoey" after a win.
Tallison Teixeira is a newcomer with massive power. This fight is simple: someone is likely going to sleep. Neither man likes to go to the judges.
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Analysis: Tuivasa has the experience, but Teixeira has the momentum. This is where we find some interesting Underdog Value. Tuivasa as an underdog in Australia is always a tempting bet because of his power.
UFC 325 Preliminary Card Picks
The preliminary card is where the future stars fight. These fighters are not famous yet. But after one good knockout, they become famous. You should watch these fights closely.
First pick on the prelims: A featherweight fight between Movsar Evloev and Arnold Allen. Evloev is undefeated. He controls the fight with wrestling. He is not flashy. But he wins. Allen is a boxer. He has good hands. He has lost to only the best. This fight is close. Evloev will try to take Allen down. Allen will try to keep it standing. Our pick is Evloev by decision. He finds a way to win.
Second pick: A women’s strawweight fight between Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba. Suarez is a monster. She was out for a long time. But she came back strong. She wrestles like a man. She is undefeated. Jandiroba is also a grappler. This will be a chess match on the ground. Suarez is stronger. She is faster. She wins by submission in round two.
Third pick: A middleweight fight between Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez. Both men like to wrestle. Both have good chins. This fight will be ugly but fun. Dolidze hits harder. Hernandez works harder. Our pick is Hernandez by decision. He does not stop moving.
Performance Bonuses Predictions
Every UFC event gives out bonuses. Four fighters get fifty thousand dollars extra. Sometimes it is more. The bonuses go to the best performance of the night. There is Performance of the Night. And there is Fight of the Night.
Let us make Performance Bonuses Predictions for UFC 325.
The first performance bonus goes to the fighter with the fastest knockout. Look for someone like Sean O’Malley. If he lands his right hand clean, the fight ends fast. He is a showman. He wants the bonus. He gets it.
The second performance bonus goes to the best submission. Look for Islam Makhachev. He has a nasty D’Arce choke. He locks it tight. He gets the tap. He gets the bonus.
The third performance bonus goes to the best comeback. Sometimes a fighter is losing. Then he lands one big shot. That wins the bonus. A fighter like Dustin Poirier has done this before. He gets hurt. Then he hurts the other man. He gets the bonus.
The fourth performance bonus is Fight of the Night. This goes to two fighters. They both get money. The fight that wins this is the one where both men bleed. Both men get tired. Both men almost get finished. A fight like Evloev vs Allen could be that fight. Or Dolidze vs Hernandez. Both fights will have a lot of action. Our pick for Fight of the Night is Poirier vs Saint Denis. They will stand and trade. The crowd will scream. That is the fight.
Why UFC 325 Matters for the 2026 Season
UFC 325 isn't just another night of fights. It sets the tone for the rest of 2026. If Volkanovski wins, he solidifies his place as the greatest featherweight ever. If Lopes wins, a new era begins.
The event at Qudos Bank Arena is expected to be a sell-out. With over 18,000 fans in attendance, the energy will be off the charts. This event also showcases the depth of talent coming out of Australia and New Zealand. With fighters like Jack Della Maddalena and Steve Erceg also on the rise, the "Down Under" region is currently a powerhouse in MMA.
How to Watch
The event will be available on Paramount+ and traditional Pay-Per-View. The early prelims start in the afternoon, leading up to the massive main card at night.
Betting Odds and Underdog Value
Now let us talk about betting odds. These are numbers that show who is expected to win. A minus sign means the fighter is the favorite. A plus sign means the fighter is the underdog. For example, Islam Makhachev might be -200. That means you bet 200 dollars to win 100. Charles Oliveira might be +170. That means you bet 100 dollars to win 170.
Expert Picks are made by people who watch fighting every day. Most experts pick the favorite. But sometimes the underdog wins. That is the underdog value.
At UFC 325, look for underdogs who have a real chance. Benoit Saint Denis is an underdog against Dustin Poirier. But Saint Denis is younger. He is stronger. He has good wrestling. If he takes Poirier down, he can win. That is underdog value.
Another underdog is Merab Dvalishvili against Sean O’Malley. Merab is a big underdog. But he has a style that beats strikers. He takes them down. He holds them down. He wins rounds. Do not be surprised if Merab wins.
Expert Picks for UFC 325
We asked three experts for their picks. They did not use big words. They just said who wins.
Expert one says: Islam Makhachev wins. He is too strong. His ground game is the best. Oliveira cannot stop all the takedowns.
Expert two says: Leon Edwards wins. He is calm. He does not make mistakes. Belal Muhammad will try hard. But Edwards lands the cleaner shots.
Expert three says: Sean O’Malley wins. Merab will shoot for takedowns. But O’Malley will get up. Then he will land a knee. Fight over.
For the prelims, all three experts agree. Tatiana Suarez wins. Movsar Evloev wins. Grant Dawson wins.
Final Thoughts on UFC 325
UFC 325 will be a great night. The UFC 325 Main Event Predictions point to the favorites winning. But fighting is not math. Anything can happen. A punch can change history. A kick can end a career. That is why we watch.
Do not just watch the main event. Watch the prelims. Watch the early prelims. That is where new stars are born. That is where you see the future.
Go enjoy the fights. Pick your winners. And remember, in the UFC, nobody is safe. Every fighter can lose. Every underdog can win. That is the beauty of the fight game.
