UFC 325: Main Card Predictions
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With gold on the line and divisional narratives at stake, UFC 325 delivers a mix of title implications, contender clashes, and high-risk matchups that could reshape multiple divisions overnight.
Headlined by a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, the event blends elite experience with rising momentum. The rest of the lineup? It features stylistic battles that promise chaos, urgency, and statement performances.
From Volkanovski’s quest to reaffirm his dominance at 145 pounds, to lightweight showdowns that could shake up the rankings, and heavyweight volatility where one punch can change everything, this card offers no shortage of intrigue.
We break down every main card fight on the stacked UFC 325 lineup:
Featherweight Championship
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes (2)
Lee: Alexander Volkanovski dominated their first meeting, which is why many questioned the need for this rematch. Yes, Diego Lopes is coming off a thrilling knockout of Jean Silva. But was that really enough to earn another title shot? Outside of a single knockdown, Lopes had few standout moments against Volk. Do I expect Volkanovski to dominate him again? Not quite. Lopes may have learned from their first clash. But, underestimating the champ would be a mistake.
Official Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski via Split Decision
Evan: To be as transparent as possible, the matchmaking here just flat out sucks. Diego Lopes did nothing in their initial meeting to warrant getting another title shot, nor did he deserve it over either Lerone Murphy or Movsar Evloev.
There’s also the belief that the first fight between Lopes and Volk was some instant classic barnburner. Which simply isn’t true. The reality is, back at UFC 314 their bout was mainly one sided. Diego couldn’t cut the cage off, or deal with Alexander’s feints and footwork, so he got outclassed. According to UFC Stats, Lopes only landed 63/194 (32%) significant strikes last time out against Volk.
With that being said, I do expect a better outing this time around from Diego for sure. Plus, given the offensive firepower he possesses and the lingering questions surrounding Alexander’s durability, Lopes is a threat to not be taken lightly. I won’t be shocked at all if he ends up finishing Volkanovski. However, unless he can successfully cut the cage off and counter the feints, Diego is going to lose again.
Official Prediction Alexander Volkanovski via Unanimous Decision
Lightweight Bout
Dan Hooker (6) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (8)
Lee: Dan Hooker will look to establish his jab and mix in his kicking game to slow down Saint-Denis, who will bring pressure and look to close the distance with power shots. Fighting in front of his home crowd could give Hooker an extra boost of motivation.
Saint-Denis has also shown slick submission skills in recent wins, something Hooker must be mindful of. With BSD aiming to climb higher in the top ten and Hooker chasing a statement win, the stakes are clear.
Official Prediction: Benoit Saint-Denis via 3rd-Round Submission
Evan: This matchup is a tricky one to break down. I’m not really sure why Hooker is returning to the cage so soon, after being bludgeoned by Arman Tsarukyan only two months ago. He’s just taken a metric ton of damage throughout his career, which eventually will catch up to him. That feels like it could be a recipe for disaster going against an offensive buzzsaw like BSD.
The Frenchman though is very flawed himself, and I still have doubts about his game. The reckless abandon he constantly fights with, leaves him susceptible to danger in a variety of ways. I genuinely believe Hooker is a live dog in this one and skill for skill, is probably the better fighter here. There’s no question that he has the tools to defeat or even finish Saint-Denis.
But, I’m really concerned with the amount of damage he’s taken, and how that will impact the outcome of this bout. Especially if this turns into a trench warfare, slugfest type of a fight. For that reason, I have to side with BSD.
Official Prediction: Benoit Saint-Denis via 2nd-Round TKO or Submission
Lightweight Bout
Rafael Fiziev (9) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (14)
Lee: This lightweight battle is my early favorite to win fight of the night. Rafael Fiziev and Mauricio Ruffy, two of the more dynamic strikers in the division, will clash in a three-round bout. Ruffy is trying to bounce back from his loss to BSD. While Fiziev, is coming off a nice win over Ignacio Bahamondes after two losses to Justin Gaethje.
This is a striker’s dream matchup, Fiziev’s switch stance Muay Thai against Ruffy’s orthodox Brazilian striking. Ruffy will need to show that if he is taken down, he has improved his scrambling because Fiziev showed he can wrestle when he needs to. Both guys need a statement win to stay relevant in a deep 155-pound division and deserving to be in title conversations.
Official Prediction: Rafael Fiziev via Unanimous Decision
Evan: As Lee pointed out, this is a bit of a striker’s delight between these two. Ultimately, whoever controls the range here probably will come out victorious. If the fight is contested inside of the pocket or in the mid-range, it will favor Fiziev more. Whereas if it stays on the outside at a kicking range, that plays into Ruffy’s skill set.
There is always the chance that Rafael does try to mix in some takedowns as well, given how Mauricio’s lack of grappling ability was completely exposed in his last Octagon appearance against BSD. I could see a scenario where the Fighting Nerd’s movement, speed, and kicking arsenal gives the Azerbaijani contender issues. However, I think Fiziev’s experience against better competition, utilization of the clinch, and ability to take away space for Ruffy to operate, will give him the edge.
Official Prediction: Rafael Fiziev via Unanimous Decision
Heavyweight Bout
Tai Tuivasa (12) vs. Tallison Teixeira (15)
Lee: Both guys are also looking to rediscover their winning ways. Tuivasa, aims to stop the bleeding of a lengthy five-fight losing streak dating back to 2022. Teixeira will look to rebound from a quick, 35-second first-round finish against Derrick Lewis, the first loss of his career.
Coincidentally, Tuivasa’s last win was a second-round finish of Lewis. He is going to be the more desperate fighter which will make him the more dangerous fighter. As with most hyeavyweight fights, this will be a slugfest which means there is a high possibility of someone going night-night. Teixeira is always forward charging and isn’t afraid to trade, which could either play into Tai’s hands or expose him.
Official Prediction: Tai Tuivasa via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Evan: To be completely honest, I couldn’t care less about this matchup. I don’t find either one of these fighters to be impressive. Tuivasa hasn’t won a fight since February 2022, and shown no meaningful improvement during that time. Meanwhile, Teixeira is for the most part, an unproven commodity and was steamrolled by the only real competition he’s faced.
You could flip a coin on this one and get it right. I guess I’ll take Tallison here because he’s the younger fighter, and Tai seems more concerned with partying than training nowadays. I’m not confident either way though. This is pure heavyweight slop at its finest.
Official Prediction: Tallison Teixeira via 1st-Round KO/TKO
Lightweight Bout
Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey
Lee: Jamie Mullarkey steps in on short notice to face Quillan Salkilld, one of the breakout fighters of 2025. In his last fight, he caught Nasrat Haqparast with a head kick that left the veteran unconscious for what seemed like a scary amount of time. Mullarkey, won his lone bout of 2025 to snap a two-fight skid.
When it comes to the matchup, Mullarkey is hoping his years of experience can slow the 26-year-old Salkilld down. Although Mullarkey is a late notice replacement, he was already in preparation mode since he was in training camp alongside Volkanovski. Salkilld and Mullarkey enter this fight at very different stages of their UFC careers.
Official Prediction: Quillan Salkilld via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Evan: This one is fairly simple to me. Mullarkey is a seasoned, solid veteran fighter no doubt. But he’s extremely hittable and chinny as hell. Which, is evident by six of his eight career losses coming by way of KO or TKO. Including three in his last five Octagon outings.
If he can’t secure takedowns in this fight or make Salkilld engage in grappling scrambles at all, Jamie will probably be in enormous trouble here. I’m also picking Salkilld to get what should be another nice highlight reel finish to add to his young UFC career.
Official Prediction: Quillan Salkilld via 1st or 2nd-Round KO/TKO
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