Two-time UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his title against the No. 2 contender, Diego Lopez, in the headline bout of UFC 325. The event will take place Saturday at Sydney Olympic Park’s Qudos Bank Arena in Australia, with early preliminaries starting at 5 p.m. ET and the main card airing around 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Their previous encounter at UFC 314 saw Volkanovski secure a unanimous decision victory for the vacant featherweight title, and it earned Fight of the Night honors.
Volkanovski enters the fight as the betting favorite at -148, while Lopez is available at +124 according to the latest UFC 325 odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. The co-main event features a lightweight clash between No. 6 Dan Hooker (+275) and No. 8 Benoît St. Denis (-345). MMA expert Kyle Marley offers detailed predictions and betting advice for UFC 325, and new DraftKings users can claim a $300 bonus bet for every $5 wager placed.
Marley, with an impressive track record of nearly $10,000 profit on $100 bets in the last three years and over $21,000 since 2018, has carefully analyzed every aspect of the Volkanovski-Lopez rematch to provide his top picks. He previously called five straight underdog winners in 2020 and went 7-4 on his most recent UFC card selections, underscoring his expertise in MMA betting.
Fans can stream all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights live on Paramount+ with no extra charge, eliminating the need for pay-per-view. The platform also offers pre-fight documentaries, full fight replays, and a rich archive of past matches.
Volkanovski, 37, boasts a 27-4 professional record with 13 knockouts, 3 submissions, and 11 decision wins. Hailing as the first Australian-born UFC champion, he ranks fifth in the men’s pound-for-pound list and holds the distinction of being the oldest featherweight champ in UFC history.
Lopez, 31, began competing professionally in 2012 and fought in various leagues across Latin America before joining the UFC following his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. His UFC debut at UFC 288 earned Fight of the Night honors despite a loss, and he has since won six of his last seven fights. Lopez’s career record stands at 27 wins and 7 losses, with a balanced mix of knockouts and submissions.
In an early prelim matchup, Marley favors Yi Za (-238) over Khan Ofri (+195) in a welterweight bout, citing Yi Za’s superior striking as a key factor.
For those looking to make informed wagers, Marley offers expert guidance on all fights at UFC 325 exclusively through SportsLine. The main card betting odds include Volkanovski (-148) vs. Lopez (+124), Hooker (+275) vs. St. Denis (-345), Rafael Fiziev (-102) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-118), Tihuassa (+250) vs. Talison Teixeira (-310), and Quilan Salkild (-1000) vs. Jamie Malarkey (+650).
Fan Take: This highly anticipated rematch between Volkanovski and Lopez is a must-watch for fight fans as it not only promises thrilling action but also showcases the evolution of two elite featherweights. The outcome could shape the division’s landscape and inspire a new wave of contenders hungry to dethrone the Aussie champ, marking a pivotal moment in UFC history.
