UFC 325 Betting Preview: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 Picks

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Location: Qudos Bank Arena - Sydney, Australia
Broadcast: Paramount+ (Main Card 9 PM ET)

UFC opens the 2026 season in Australia with a loaded numbered event anchored by a compelling featherweight championship rematch. The card offers a mix of established vets, hungry contenders, and local fan favorites - great fodder for both straight bets and props.

🏆 Main Event - Featherweight Title

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Diego Lopes

Volkanovski defends his featherweight crown for the first time after reclaiming it with a unanimous decision over Lopes at UFC 314. A seasoned campaigner with elite cardio and fight IQ, Volk is the deserved favorite in Sydney. #2 Featherweight
Lopes, a dangerous striker with power and momentum, brings stylistic intrigue and revenge motivation, but the numbers still favor the champ.

Betting Lines (approx):

Volkanovski: ‐150
Lopes: +125

Betting Angle: Volk is the savvy, technical favorite - look to Volkanovski on the ML and Method props (decision) depending on price. Lopes intrigues as a live dog, especially on props if he finds success early.

Key Pivot: Expect a chess match early with Volk control of pace and Lopes hunting openings. Cards that see veteran champs dictate position often favor decision lines over early fight props.

🔥 Co-Main - Lightweight Firefight

Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint Denis

Hooker brings veteran durability and utility in a lightweight barnburner. Saint Denis, improving rapidly, is shorter money but presents sharp striking and light-heavy pressure.

Odds Snapshot:

Hooker: +250ish
Saint Denis: -350ish

Betting Focus: An enticing underdog win play here. Hooker's experience and finishing ability give him value on the + side - this is one of the more bettable ML underdog scenarios on the card.

⚡ Other Main Card Fights & Betting Angles

Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy - Lightweight

Fiziev is the slightly favored technical striker; Ruffy carries heavy KO power and unpredictability. Their styles could produce a fight-ending moment.

Betting Angle: Lean Fiziev to win, but parlays should consider a fight finishes prop given both fighters' propensity for damage.

Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira - Heavyweight

Teixeira enters as a solid favorite, owed to Tuivasa?s recent skid and ring rust. Heavyweight bouts often resolve fast - round totals and finish markets are key here.

Parlay Nugget: A round-specific parlay including this bout could pay well as all signs point toward early action.

Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey - Lightweight

Salkilld dominates betting boards as a heavy favorite and arguably the most lopsided ML on the card. At steep chalk, consider props (round, method) to juice value.

📊 Betting Strategy & Parlays

Top Bet Ideas:
✔ Volkanovski ML / Decision favories
✔ Hooker ML (value underdog)
✔ Prop: Quillan Salkilld KO/TKO ? better than flat ML due to pricing pressure
✔ Pair Teixeira and Salkilld in a small parlay - strong finish potential

Prop Focus: With several finishers on the main card, round-specific bets (R1/R2) and method finishes could yield sharper payouts than straight money lines.

🧠 Final Take

UFC 325 blends a marquee championship rematch with several high variance matchups, making it a prop-friendly card for sharp bettors. While Volkanovski remains the tactical play headlining the show, underdog and finish-specific props across the card provide fertile ground for favorable overlays.