UFC 325 Preview: Odds, Predictions, and Best Bets for Saturday, January 31

After a successful debut on Paramount+, the UFC has another awesome card headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes taking place in Sydney, Australia. This card should have some fun ones from start to finish, so make sure to tune in early.

Today, I will break down my 3 favorite bets for this weekend’s fight card. Let’s get into it!

Jacob Malkoun (8-3) vs Torrez Finney (11-0)

This should be a very interesting fight between a slow, methodical grappler in Malkoun and an explosive, but less technical fighter in Finney. Finney is just 1-0 so far in his UFC career with a split decision win over Robert Valentin.

Finney is a strong grappler but relies mostly on his explosiveness inside the octagon. Malkoun is 4-3 in the UFC but hasn’t fought since his freak KO win against Andre Petroski in Atlantic City. I think Finney is going to get the best of Malkoun.

I truly think Malkoun is very weak on his feet and will have trouble bringing Finney to the ground and holding him there. Finney is more athletic, stronger, and faster, and if he comes into this fight with the right gameplan he should be able to take this one.

MY PICK: Torrez Finney +125

Mauricio Ruffy (12-2) vs Rafael Fiziev (13-4)

Ruffy’s last fight was his first loss in the UFC, and it came by way of a beatdown. Ruffy is a very talented striker, but he has issues with his ground game. Fiziev, however, is a kickboxer, so I have a feeling this may be a wild one on the feet.

Fiziev is a vet in the UFC now. He is 7-4 and has fought some of the toughest guys Including Gaethje twice, Rafael Dos Anjos, and Mateusz Gamrot. This is another tough test, so we will see how it plays out for him as he has last 3 of his last 4. I think if this fight stays on the feet, Ruffy has an advantage.

He is long and extremely crafty on his feet, and if he can fight from a distance, he should control the pace. Fiziev will be looking to close the distance and counter, but I think Ruffy is going to find success from range and using his kicks. He has left the Fighting Nerds and started in a new training camp, so I think some fresh advice and strategy will do Ruffy some good.

MY PICK: Mauricio Ruffy -120

Alexander Volkanovski (27-4) vs Diego Lopes (27-7)

We have a rematch for the title between Volk and Lopes and if it is anything like the first fight we are in for a treat. Volk won by unanimous decision but it was a very fun fight with huge moments from both guys. This will be Volk’s first fight since then, but Lopes had an extremely impressive KO win over Jean Silva in September.

This fight, much like the first, will come down to Volk controlling the distance with his jab and low kicks. Lopes likes to fight from inside the pocket and that is where he landed his best shots in the last fight.

I think Lopes will come in with a fresh gameplan, but I think Volk is a bit too crafty and experienced and will be prepared for whatever gets sent his way. Give me Alex The Great to get it done again by decision.

MY PICK: Alexander Volkanovski by Dec +150