UFC 325 predictions: Will Volkanovski beat Lopes again?

theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks ahead of Saturday's UFC 325 in Sydney.

Featherweight championship

Alexander Volkanovski (27-4)
vs.
Diego Lopes (27-7)

After reclaiming the UFC featherweight title last spring, Alexander Volkanovski is looking to kick off his second reign the same way he started it: with a win over Diego Lopes.

Though Volkanovski decisively won their first meeting at UFC 314 last April, it's far from a guarantee we'll see the same outcome in the rematch. Volkanovski, 37, has endured a lot of wear and tear and continues to move further from his prime. Meanwhile, Lopes, 31, has never looked better than in his bounce-back knockout of Jean Silva at Noche UFC last September.

🤜 Check out all the odds available for UFC 325 on theScore Bet here

To avenge his loss, Lopes will need to do a better job of cutting off the cage while on the feet. He hurt Volkanovski multiple times in the first fight but followed him around the Octagon too much, ultimately letting him off the hook. If Lopes can rock Volkanovski and then connect with powerful follow-up shots, he has a good chance of beginning his own title reign.

Volkanovski is more or less hoping for a repeat of the first fight. He outlanded Lopes 158-63 in significant strikes and had a huge edge in technique and skill in the stand-up department. It would've been a shutout, barring the flash knockdown in the second round and one or two other moments of uncertainty.

Father Time could catch up to Volkanovski at any moment, but until I see it happen with my own eyes, I have to back him to beat Lopes again.

👊 The pick: Volkanovski, unanimous decision

Lightweight bout

Dan Hooker (24-13)
vs.
Benoit Saint Denis (16-3, 1 NC)

Benoit Saint Denis will keep the momentum going with a violent finish of Dan Hooker.

Saint Denis had a resurgent 2025 campaign, finishing Kyle Prepolec, Mauricio Ruffy, and Beneil Dariush in consecutive fights to get back in the mix at 155 pounds.

Hooker is looking to get on track after a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar in November. Though Hooker is known for his durability and toughness, I expect Saint Denis to eventually crack his chin and make a statement.

👊 The pick: Saint Denis, second-round TKO

Lightweight bout

Rafael Fiziev (13-4)
vs.
Mauricio Ruffy (12-2)

This is another matchup that could earn Fight of the Night honors, as neither Rafael Fiziev nor Mauricio Ruffy is ever in boring fights. Ruffy was the talk of the town after his Knockout of the Year against King Green last March, but his stock took a major and sudden hit when Saint Denis tapped him out six months later. Fortunately for Ruffy, Fiziev isn't a submission specialist, but unfortunately for Ruffy, Fiziev is highly skilled on the feet. I'm picking Fiziev to win a close one.

👊 The pick: Fiziev, split decision

Heavyweight bout

Tai Tuivasa (14-8)
vs.
Tallison Teixeira (8-1)

I really wanted to pick Tai Tuivasa to snap his five-fight losing streak, but then I remembered that Tallison Teixeira is 26 years old, 8-1 as a professional, and eager to bounce back from his first career loss. Yeah, I'll take that guy instead.

👊 The pick: Teixeira, first-round submission

Lightweight bout

Quillan Salkilld (10-1)
vs.
Jamie Mullarkey (18-8)

Quillan Salkilld is a 10-1 betting favorite and is coming off one of the most devastating knockouts of 2025. Enough said.

👊 The pick: Salkilld, first-round TKO

Rapid-fire bets

💥 Best overall bet: Alexander Volkanovski (-150) def. Diego Lopes

This isn't a bad price for the featherweight champ. I'd pass if the odds got any worse, but at -150, Volkanovski is worth a small play.

💥 Best underdog bet: Rafael Fiziev (+100) def. Mauricio Ruffy

There aren't too many tempting underdogs on this card, but Fiziev has what it takes to edge out a narrow win against Ruffy.

💥 Best prop bet: Quillan Salkilld def. Jamie Mullarkey by KO/TKO/DQ (-150)

Salkilld has earned first-round knockouts in two of his three UFC fights, while Mullarkey's last four losses all came via knockout.

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