UFC 325 is set for Saturday in Sydney, Australia, headlined by a high-profile featherweight title rematch between champion Alexander Volkanovski and challenger Diego Lopez. The event will kick off at 9 p.m. ET from Qudos Bank Arena and stream live on Paramount+. Volkanovski, holding a 27-4 record, enters as the favorite at -148, bolstered by home support, while Lopez sits at +124. The co-main event features lightweight contenders Dan Hooker (+275) and Benoit Saint-Denis (-345). Bettors can find detailed predictions and insights based on Mike McClure’s advanced computer model, which simulates fights round-by-round considering fighter styles, damage accumulation, and finishing trends.
New bettors can take advantage of a DraftKings promo offering up to $300 in bonus bets if their wager wins. McClure’s model, tested over 500 UFC fights from 2023 to 2025, has delivered an 18-unit profit and a 6.1% return on investment. It accurately forecasted the decisive win of Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 and now breaks down Volkanovski vs. Lopez 2, providing realistic betting advice accessible on SportsLine. Additionally, all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights are now streaming live on Paramount+ at no extra cost, ending the era of traditional pay-per-view.
Volkanovski, 36, is notable as both the first Australian-born UFC champion and the oldest featherweight titleholder in UFC history. Despite a recent mixed run of results—losing the featherweight belt to Ilya Topuria and two lightweight title attempts—he reclaimed the featherweight crown by defeating Lopez in their first encounter by unanimous decision, landing more than double Lopez’s significant strikes. Lopez, 31, brings a youth and reach advantage along with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background. After joining the UFC in 2023 and overcoming an initial loss, Lopez rode a five-fight win streak to capture the featherweight title at UFC 314, earning Fight of the Night honors with Volkanovski.
Since their last meeting, Volkanovski has been inactive, while Lopez scored a TKO victory over Jean Silva with spinning elbows and punches in September 2025. Both fighters have solid finishing records with knockouts, submissions, and decision wins and have never lost via submission. Fans can explore comprehensive fight predictions and model-based betting recommendations at SportsLine.
Among the top model picks for UFC 325 is Mauricio Ruffy at -118 over Rafael Fiziev, with a projected 57% likelihood of a stoppage, mostly via KO or TKO. The model sees slight value here despite Fiziev being the slight favorite, indicating the matchup’s potential for an exciting finish. New users can capitalize on a FanDuel promo offering a $200 bonus bet after a $5 winning wager.
The model also highlights a promising +600 long shot for an outright victory on the undercard, with all detailed predictions exclusively available on SportsLine. The finalized UFC 325 fight card includes these bouts with current odds from DraftKings (subject to changes): Volkanovski (-148) vs. Lopez (+124), Hooker (+275) vs. St. Denis (-345), Fiziev (-102) vs. Ruffy (-118), Tihuassa (+260) vs. Talison Teixeira (-325), and Quilan Salkild (-1000) vs. Jamie Malarkey (+650).
Fan Take: This highly anticipated rematch between Volkanovski and Lopez not only showcases elite featherweight skills but also highlights the evolving global stage of UFC with Australia hosting a major event. The matchup and high-tech fight predictions underscore MMA’s blend of athleticism and data-driven strategy, raising the sport’s competitive and entertainment levels for fans worldwide.
