Final UFC 325 Predictions, Picks & Updated Odds for Saturday’s Card

• Tonight’s UFC 325 is headlined by the Volkanovski vs Lopes rematch for the featherweight title
• I’m predicting the Main Event ends in a knockout
• See my final UFC 325 predictions, picks and updated odds for Saturday’s card

The UFC returns to Australia tonight for UFC 325. The card features 13 fights in total, headlined by the Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes rematch for the featherweight title.

Volkanovski has five career title defenses on his resume to date, and online sportsbooks expect a sixth tonight, peggins him as a -148 favorite. I’m not interested in picking a winner in the Main Event, but I am looking to bet on the fight finishing inside the distance.

The UFC 325 prelims are set to get underway from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, at 5:15 pm ET, 2:15 pm PT on Paramount+, with the Main Card fights starting at 9:15 pm ET, 6:15 pm PT also on Paramount+.

Here are my UFC 325 predictions, picks and updated odds for Saturday’s card.

UFC 325 Pick #1: Volkanovski vs Lopez Exact Method of Victory

The first bout between these two went to a decision, with Volkanovski winning unanimously last April. The Australian hasn’t fought since, choosing instead to rest and wait for a new challenger to emerge. That never happened, so he’ll get Lopes again after the Brazilian scored a second round knockout over Jean Silva in September.

Lopes should know by now he isn’t likely win this fight by decision. Volkanovski has just one career professional loss on points, getting knocked out in his only other three defeats. At age 38, he’s now a step slower, and there are questions about his durability.

He’s been knocked out twice in his last three bouts, and has been knocked down or hobbled at a more frequent rate than in his prime. Lopes knocked him down in their first meeting, and he certainly has the ability to finish the job this time around.

Volkanovski vs Lopes Tale of the Tape

The 31-year-old is the younger, faster, more powerful fighter. Volkanovski is more technically sound, but Lopes’ entire strategy should be to come forward relentlessly in attempt to take the fight to his opponent. That’s going to lead to this fight ending one of two ways. Either Lopes knocks out Volkanovski or the Australian knocks him out.

Don’t expect this fight to end by submission, as that’s not either fighter’s style. Just one of Lopes’ last 11 fights have finished that way, while a Volkanovski bout hasn’t ended in that manner since 2015.

• UFC 325 Predictions: Volkanovski vs Lopes Exact Method of Victory – KO/TKO/DQ (+130)

UFC 325 Updated Odds

Odds as of Jan. 31 at DraftKings. Check out the best UFC betting apps for UFC 325 on Saturday.

I have a few more UFC 325 picks for you below, but make sure to read our UFC 325 Parlay Picks to get the biggest potential payout.

UFC 325 Pick #2: Tai Tuivasa Method of Victory

For my next selection, I’m going to take a calculated shot on Tai Tuivasa to win by knockout. Yes, he’s currently riding a five-fight losing streak, but his opposition Tallison Teixeira isn’t the same type of striker that most of his last five opponents have been.