UFC 325 predictions, best bets to consider for the main card in Australia

UFC 325 is set to take place in Australia this Saturday, making it a second consecutive weekend with a numbered UFC event. In the main event of the evening, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes in a rematch.

Volkanovski won the first meeting of UFC 314 by unanimous decision. The victory kicked off Volkanovski’s second reign as champion after losing the title to Ilia Topuria in February 2024.

The rest of the map is loaded with fights that could result in some serious action.

As with any UFC pay-per-view event, there is sure to be plenty of action at the sports betting window, and with that in mind, we’re taking a look at the best bet to make for each main card fight at UFC 325.

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After going 31-25 for our best bets in 2025, we started 2026 with a 3-2 record at UFC 324. We now look ahead to this weekend, with our only remaining rule that all bets must be at odds of -250 or better. Let’s take a look at this week’s picks with odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Bet on UFC 325 at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $300 in bonus bets with a $5 winning bet:

Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey

Quillan Salkilld via KO/TKO/DQ (-145)

Salkilld scored two massive knockouts in three wins in 2025, including the CBS Sports Knockout of the Year. Mullarkey is 4-4 since 2022, and he has been stopped by KO or TKO in his four losses. Salkilld averages 1.3 more strikes per minute and absorbs almost one less. This all adds up to a good chance that Salkilld will score yet another viral knockout to rile up his compatriots.

Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira

Tallison Teixeira via KO/TKO/DQ (-225)

Teixeira is coming off a disappointing TKO loss to Derrick Lewis in a somewhat questionable stoppage. That said, Tuivasa is on a five-game losing streak and doesn’t have the unique physical tools that Teixeira has. Teixeira stands 6-foot-7, giving him a five-inch height advantage over Tuivasa. Teixeira uses all four of his limbs well in his attack and this should allow him to intimidate Tuivasa both from a distance and in close combat. It appears this will be Tuivasa’s last appearance in the UFC.

Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy

Rafael Fiziev’s money line (+100)

Fiziev vs. Ruffy is a very balanced fight on paper, which means finding the little edges where the fight can be decided. Both men have power in their strikes, although Ruffy can be a little more fluid in his attack. But in Ruffy’s most recent fight, a second-round submission loss to Benoit Saint Denis, he was knocked out several times and showed no ability to get back up. Fiziev has never been one to focus on his grappling, except he has six takedowns in his most recent two fights. His team no doubt plans to exploit this weakness in Ruffy’s game and it gives Fiziev enough of an advantage to take him into this pick’em fight.

Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis via KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (-130)

Saint Denis suffered two brutal straight losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano in 2024, but bounced back with three impressive wins. Hooker represents exactly the type of opponent that Saint Denis can unload their entire game on. Hooker is very open in his offense, absorbing as many significant strikes as he lands per minute and with good, but not great, takedown defense. Saint Denis averages nearly five takedowns every 15 minutes, while Hooker defends takedowns at 77 percent. Saint Denis should be able to take advantage of Hooker’s defensive holes, both in striking and wrestling. Once Saint Denis gets going, he should be able to find a finish against Hooker, who has seven stoppage losses in his career.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

Money line of Alexandre Volkanovski (-148)

I’m having a hard time seeing why this rematch is much different from the first meeting. Volkanovski is one of the most cunning fighters of the era, rarely making mistakes. There is no shame in losing to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, who are perhaps the two best fighters on the planet. Is Lopes part of this group? I don’t believe it. Lopes is good enough to get the win, as he showed by injuring Volkanovski late in their first meeting. But Volkanovski is the better all-around fighter, and he’s the favorite for a reason. We’ll ride with Volkanovski to repeat his victory and continue to build his record as one of the greatest featherweights in history.