UFC 325 Staff Picks: Featherweights Rumble In Exciting Rematch
The Land From Down Under of Australia sets the table for a thrilling night of bouts when UFC 325 takes center stage at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. In the top-billed fight of the night, Alexander Volkanovski attempts to begin a second fruitful championship reign by beating former fo...
The Land From Down Under of Australia sets the table for a thrilling night of bouts when UFC 325 takes center stage at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. In the top-billed fight of the night, Alexander Volkanovski attempts to begin a second fruitful championship reign by beating former foe, Diego Lopes, in an exciting runback. In the co-main event, New Zealand’s own Dan Hooker brushes with outstanding French contender Benoit Saint Denis. Check out our preview of UFC 325 here:
UFC 325 Main Event
At UFC 314 last year, Volkanovski etched his legacy even further into the history books by defeating Lopes in one of the most rip-roaring contests of 2025. The win put him back at the head of the pack at featherweight while also making him the oldest man to win UFC gold in the division’s history. On the hunt for his sixth total title defense, “The Great” will have the hometown crowd backing him up when he tangles with the scariest striker at 145-lb.
Falling short of greatness in his company debut, Lopes had strung together a phenomenal five-fight winning streak en route to challenging for the strap for the first time. Giving Volkanovski everything he could handle and then some, the South American demolisher wound up losing a very competitive decision, faltering in the later rounds to his more experienced adversary. Now, having swum in the deep waters of a 25-minute scrap, Lopes now seeks to fulfil his destiny of finally being crowned a UFC champion.
UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Jumping back in the saddle after a lacklustre performance against Arman Tsarukyan last November, Hooker kicks off his 2026 campaign with a highly anticipated confrontation with Saint-Denis. Hailed for his gritty stand-up style, “The Hangman” can easily make his European opponent’s night a miserable one if he can avoid the canvas at all costs.
Winner of three straight inside the Octagon, Saint-Denis has appeared to have levelled up immensely since suffering his last loss to Renato Moicano back in 2024. Improving more and more as a finisher with each trip to the cage, fans should expect a quick night in the office for France’s “God of War.”
More Bouts On the UFC 325 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, touted lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld faces off with Jamie Mullarkey. Then, heavyweight stoppage specialists Tai Tuivasa and Tallison Teixeira square off for divisional supremacy. Finally, Rafael Fiziev tests himself against another up-and-coming young name in Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy.
UFC 325 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC 325 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC 324:
- Hank Strandberg: 4-1
- Frazer Krohn: 3-2
- Drew Zuhosky: 1-4
- Jeremy Brand: 0-0
- Andrew Benjamin: 0-0
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Quillan Salkilld -950
Vs.
Jamie Mullarkey +650
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Salkilld by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Mullarkey by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Salkilld by Third Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Salkilld by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Salkilld: 3
Staff picking Mullarkey: 1
Tallison Teixeira -305
Vs.
Tai Tuivasa +255
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Teixeira by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Teixeira by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Teixeira by First Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Tuivasa by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Teixeira: 3
Staff picking Tuivasa: 1
Mauricio Ruffy -125
Vs.
Rafael Fiziev +105
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Fiziev by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Fiziev by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Fiziev by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Fiziev by Split Decision
Staff picking Ruffy: 0
Staff picking Fiziev: 4
Benoît Saint-Denis -370
Vs.
Dan Hooker +295
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Saint-Denis by Second Round Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Hooker by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Saint-Denis by Second Round Submission
Andrew Benjamin: Hooker by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Saint-Denis: 2
Staff picking Hooker: 2
Alexander Volkanovski -150
Vs.
Diego Lopes +130
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Volkanovski: 4
Staff picking Lopes: 0
