UFC 325 Odds, Picks, Predictions & UFC Best Bets for Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2

Jan 27th, 2026 1:01 PM EST

Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves)

The second UFC event of 2025 takes place Saturday when Alexander Volkanovski faces Diego Lopes in a featherweight title rematch in the main event of UFC 325. The event takes place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, and features 14 fights overall. In the latest edition of the Bookies.com Best Bets, we will break down the headliner plus two undercard bouts

Without further ado, here are theBookies.com Best Bets for UFC 325.

Favorite	Underdog
Alexander Volkanovski -155	Diego Lopes +130

UFC odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and current as of publication. Check out our DraftKings Sportsbook Review.

UFC 325 Main Event Best Bet

Alexander Volkanovski (-155) vs. Diego Lopes (+130)

The main event of UFC 325 is a rematch for the UFC featherweight title between champion Alexander Volkanovski and challenger Diego Lopes. Although Lopes is a +130 underdog, I like him to pull off the upset and win the title.

Volkanovski is 37, and he is 14-3 in the UFC. The Aussie is the two-time UFC featherweight champion, and he is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Ever since he entered the UFC in 2016, all Volkanovski has done is win, as he’s defeated many of the best featherweights in the sport, including Max Holloway three times, Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez, and, in his last bout, Lopes. He is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the game, as he is skilled in every facet of the game and has very few flaws. That being said, he is getting up there in age and has been dropped in his last three fights. While there is no doubt that Volkanovski is a future UFC Hall of Famer, he may be finally showing signs of a decline at this point in his career.

Lopes is 31, and he is 6-2 in the UFC. The Brazilian-born, Mexican-based fighter joined the UFC in 2023, and he has looked great for the most part in the Octagon. After losing a close decision to top featherweight contender Movsar Evloev in his UFC debut, he has won six of his last seven fights, including four wins by knockout, and his only loss came in a competitive decision defeat to Volkanovski. Since that first Volkanovski fight last April, Lopes has picked up a big knockout win over Silva, and he rides into this rematch with tons of momentum. He was already a great fighter, but he may not have the experience he needs to become a champion.

When these two rivals met last April, I picked Volkanovski to win a decision, and that’s exactly what happened. So why do I like Lopes this time around? For a few reasons. First, momentum. Since that first fight, Volkanovski hasn’t fought, while Lopes picked up a huge knockout win over Jean Silva in one of the best fights of 2025. Second, age. Lopes is only 31 and in his prime, while Volkanovski is a year older at 37, and we know that Father Time is undefeated. And third, finishing ability. Lopes is nearly impossible to knock out or submit, while Volkanovski has been hurt numerous times in recent fights and seems ripe for another knockout loss. To me, it all adds up to an upset win for Lopes, so I have to take him to win this fight as a +130 betting underdog.

UFC 325 Best Bet: Diego Lopes wins at +130 with DraftKings Sportsbook

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Other UFC 325 Best Bets

Billy Elekana (-250) vs. Junior Tafa (+205)

In a light heavyweight bout, Billy Elekana takes on Junior Tafa. Elekana is a -250 favorite, and I believe he finishes this fight by submission.

Elekana is 30, and he is 2-1 in the UFC. The American lost his UFC debut on short notice last year to Bogdan Guskov, but since then, he has pulled off two straight wins over Ibo Aslan and Kevin Christian. He has solid striking skills and an impressive ground game, and in a light heavyweight division that is dearth of prospects, Elekana is someone to keep your eye on.

Tafa is 29, and he is 2-4 in the UFC. The Aussie joined the UFC in 2023, but he has not looked impressive at all for the most part. While he does have some knockout power, his ground game is terrible, and he also has poor striking defense. Overall, it has been a rough go for Tafa in the UFC, and if he can’t get his hand raised in this spot, he will likely wind up being released.

I do not believe in Tafa anymore, while I think Elekana is an underrated fighter on the rise. Look for Elekana to take Tafa down to the mat and submit him, and bet Elekana as a -250 favorite.

UFC 324 Best Bet: Billy Elekana wins at -250 with DraftKings Sportsbook

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Jonathan Micallef (-135) vs. Oban Elliott (+115)

In welterweight action, Jonathan Micallef fights Oban Elliott in a re-booking of a fight that was supposed to happen last September. Unfortunately, Elliott had to withdraw at the last minute due to illness, but thankfully, the UFC has been able to rebook this matchup in short order. Just like the first fight, I like Micallef to get the win in this bout as a -135 favorite.

Micallef is 26 and is 1-0 in the UFC. The Aussie won his UFC debut with a breakthrough performance over Kevin Jousset earlier this year, a fight where he showed he is a well-rounded fighter with exceptional striking skills. We also saw him have a great ground game on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024, where he originally earned his UFC contract. There is a lot to like about Micallef, and if he can beat Elliott, he may be put on the fast track to the top 15.

Elliott is 28, and he is 3-1 in the UFC. The Wales native won his first three UFC fights and was looking like a potential contender at 170 lbs due to a combination of striking and grappling, but he was exposed in his last bout, a lopsided loss to UFC newcomer Seokhyeon Ko. It was a terrible loss for Elliott, and one that he may not be able to overcome. Things don’t get any easier here for Elliott, as he now goes into enemy territory to take on a top prospect in Micallef.

Elliott looked dreadful in his last fight, while Micallef had a breakthrough performance in his UFC debut, one that he will look to build on here in his home country. I’m taking Micallef to win as a -135 favorite, and I see him likely winning this fight on the judges’ scorecards.

UFC 325 Best Bet: Jonathan Micallef wins at -135 with DraftKings Sportsbook

About the Author

Adam Martin

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A writer based out of Toronto, Adam Martin has covered professional sports, with an emphasis on sports gambling, for more than a decade, writing for such outlets as The Toronto Star and Sportsnet. He is an expert in UFC, while also covering NHL betting and the Stanley Cup.