After a succesful debut on Paramount+ last weekend for UFC 324, major UFC action is back as the Octagon returns to Australia for UFC 325 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
The main event is a rematch for the UFC Featherweight Championship as reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski defends against Diego Lopes. It has been less than a year since their first fight, a fight for a then-vacant featherweight title won by Volkanovski. He hasn’t fought since then, while Lopes is coming off a thrilling knockout win over Jean Silva in September that got him right back into a title fight.
In the co-main event, it’s an exciting lightweight fight pitting fan favorite Dan Hooker against Benoit Saint-Denis. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Rafael Fiziev and Mauricio Ruffy; a heavyweight bout that sees fan favorite Tai Tuivasa return against Tallison Teixeira; and a lightweight bout between Quillan Salkilld and Jamie Mullarkey kicks off the main card.
PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT
> Road to UFC 4 Bantamweight Final- Sulang Rangbo (10-3) vs. Lawrence Lui (7-1)
They trade before Lui scores a takedown and has the back of Rangbo and lands some knees. They get to their feet. They separate. Lui lands a combo. Rangbo lands some punches. Lui with a series of punches as Rangbo backs up. Rangbo then rocks Lui with some shots, and Lui lands an uppercut in return that briefly hurts Rangbo. Rangbo lands an uppercut as Lui looked to shoot. Rangbo lands a combination. Lui looks for a takedown and has the back as they go to their knees. They break and Rangbo lands a nice body kick. 10-9 Rangbo.
They trade left hooks. Rangbo lands an uppercut as Lui throws a combination. Lui shoots for a long takedown but Rangbo is able to escape. Lui lands a combination with a solid left hand. Lui looks for a takedown, but Rangbo defends and lands a right hand as they separate. Lui pressuring and lands a combo. Rangbo lands a quick combo. Lui has the back and drags the fight to the knees and lands some left hands. They get to their feet but Lui still has the body lock and lands some knees. They scramble and Rangbo lands a series of shots on the break. They trade to end the round. 10-9 Lui, 19-19.
Rangbo lands a right hand as they trade combinations. Rangbo lands a combination. They’re both landing punches as Lui is pressuring. Lui scores a takedown and is landing shots against the fence as he is controlling Rangbo. Lui with some knees. They get to their feet for a moment but Rangbo trips it back down. They scramble up but Lui has back control and is keeping Rangbo against the fence. They separate and both throw big punches to end. 10-9 Lui, 29-28 Lui.
Fight Result- Lawrence Lui def. Sulangrangbo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Road to UFC 4 Featherweight Final- Keiichiro Nakamura (7-1) vs. Sebastian Szalay (10-1)
Nakamura lands a leg kick as Szalay lands a counter flurry of punches. Szalay lands a left hand and then backs Nakamura up with another. Nakamura lands a body kick. Szalay lands a spin kick. Nakamura lands a few leg kicks. Szalay with a combination to the body and lands a right hook as Nakamura tripped while circling. Nakamura lands a leg kick. Szalay lands a combination. Szalay with a combo to the head and body. Nakamura just landing kicks and not really a lot of them as Szalay is more active. Nakamura lands a leg kick. 10-9 Szalay.
They trade kicks and Szalay backs Nakamura up with a combo. They trade and Szalay drops Nakamura with a left hand but he is able to get right up. They trade leg kicks. Nakamura tries a spin kick, but Szalay grabs the leg and dumps him to the mat, though Nakamura gets right up. Szalay with some body shots but pokes Nakamura in the eye, so time out is called. It was actually a clash of heads and they continue. Szalay lands some punches and Nakamura lands a leg kick. Szalay lands a combo. They trade punches. Nakamura lands some late kicks. 10-9 Szalay, 20-18 Szalay.
They’re trading inside the first minute. Szalay lands a body kick. Nakamura is doing more pressuring as he’s working the jab more, and Szalay is backing up more this round. Szalay lands a combination to the body and then to the head. Szalay with more body shots followed by a solid right hand. Nakamura then lands a brutal knee that drops Szalay and some follow-up shots end it! What a finish by Nakamura!
Fight Result- Keiichiro Nakamura def. Sebastian Szalay by TKO (strikes) at 3:48 of Round 3
> Road to UFC 4 Lightweight Final- Sangwook Kim (13-3) vs. Dom Mar Fan (8-2)
Kim grabs a single leg right away and pushes it against the fence looking for the takedown. Fan tries to separate but Kim grabs the leg again. Kim gets Fan down and has the back. Fan is throwing back punches that aren’t doing a whole lot. Fan is able to escape and has the advantage as they get to the feet. They trade knees in the clinch and Kim lands body shots. Fan with a pair of elbows as he’s looking for a takedown. They’re both battling for a takedown as they go down for a moment, but stay clinched as they stand. Kim with a shot and Fan lands a knee to the body. Kim lands some body shots. Fan lands an elbow. Close round. 10-9 Fan.
They’re trading and Fan lands some shots that hurt Kim. Kim gets the body lock and presses it against the fence. They separate. They exchange jabs. Fan lands a body kick and Kim with a leg kick. Kim attacks the single leg and they go to the mat, but Fan ends up back on top. Fan takes the back as they stand, but Fan drags it back down. Fan keeps control as they scramble and lands an elbow as they break. Fan with some big punches but Kim is now landing some big shots. Fan lands a knee. 10-9 Fan, 20-18 Fan.
Kim immediately grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. Fan lands a knee and a pair of elbows as Kim lands to the body. They break apart and Fan works the jab. Fan landing more and Kim lands a groin strike, but Fan is ready to go. Fan then lands a kick to the groin of Kim and time out is called. They get back going and Kim lands a right hand. Fan with a combo and lands a head kick. They’re trading big shots in close range. Kim lands a right hand and then to the body before clinching. Fan lands an elbow on the break. Fan lands a left hand and they tie up. Kim lands to the body. They trade inside the pocket late. 10-9 Mar Fan, 30-27 Mar Fan.
Fight Result- Dom Mar Fan def. Sangwook Kim by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- Kaan Ofli (12-4-1, 1-2 UFC) vs. Yizha (26-5, 1-2 UFC)
They both throw but are missing before Ofli gets the clinch. They scramble to the mat and continue to scramble as Ofli gets on top. Ofli gets inside the guard and lands a right hand. Ofli lands some more and they scramble up but remain clinched. They separate and Ofli rocks Yizha with a punch. Yizha recovers and they trade as Ofli is slowing down. Yizha lands a body kick and a right hand. Yizha lands a right hand that hurts Ofli. Close round. 10-9 Ofli.
Ofli lands a leg kick. Yizha drops Ofli with a left hook and starts landing from the top. Yizha attacks the back as they stand. They break and Yizha lands some more big punches and Ofli is backing up. Ofli looks for a takedown but Yizha defends. Yizha lands to the body. Yizha lands some knees and some elbows. Ofli lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Ofli lands and then Yizha lands some big body and head shots. Yizha lands a left hand and Ofli briefly goes down, but gets right up and they both land. Yizha lands a leg kick. 10-9 Yizha, 19-19.
Ofli lands a leg kick. Ofli with another stiff calf kick. Yizha lands to the body. Ofli lands a body kick. Yizha with a right hand to the body. Ofli shoots for a takedown against the fence but Yizha defends. They separate. Yizha catches a leg and lands a right hand. Both land combinations. Yizha lands a solid left hand. Yizha gets a brief takedown and has the back as they stand. They trade late. 10-9 Yizha, 29-28 Yizha.
Fight Result- Kaan Ofli def. Yizha by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
> Welterweights- Jonathan Micallef (8-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Oban Elliott (12-3, 3-1 UFC)
Micallef throws a body kick but Elliott catches the leg and scores the takedown. Elliott is working inside the guard of Micallef, but Micallef is able to get to his feet. Elliott has clinch control against the fence. They separate. Elliott lands a right hand. Elliott lands a combination. Elliott lands and has brief clinch control. They separate and Micallef lands a right hand that puts Elliott on his knees, but he quickly stands. They trade inside the pocket. They clinch and Micallef lands a knee. Micallef has the back and lands some knees. They separate. Elliott lands a left hand and Micallef has a cut open around his eye. 10-9 Elliott.
Elliott lands a high kick. Micallef throws and Elliott lands some counter punches. Elliott lands a right hand. Micallef with a short uppercut. Micallef lands a jab but eats a stiff calf kick from Elliott. Micallef lands a right hand. Elliott lands a big combination before they clinch. Micallef gets the back and drags it down and has full back control. Micallef locks in a rear-naked choke. Elliott is trying to fight it off as he throws some punches. Micallef locks it in tighter and Elliott goes out cold! What a finish from Micallef!
Fight Result- Jonathan Micallef def. Oban Elliott by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:31 of Round 2
> Middleweights- Jacob Malkoun (8-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Torrez Finney (11-0, 1-0 UFC)
Malkoun works the jab and looks for a takedown, but Finney defends it. Malkoun back to working the jab. Malkoun lands a right hand. Malkoun lands a combination ending with a right hand. Finney lands a quick left hook. Malkoun backs Finney up with a right hand. Malkoun hurts Finney some more with more punches. Malkoun lands an uppercut followed by a jab. Finney lands a left hook. Malkoun with a big combination against the fence. Malkoun continues to connect and hurt Finney. Malkoun throws Finney to the mat and starts landing big shots from the top. Malkoun looks for a guillotine choke. Finney fights it off and gets inside the guard of Malkoun. Finney with a big right hand from the top. 10-9 Malkoun.
Finney looks to be dealing with a knee injury. Malkoun works the jab and they trade big punches. Malkoun lands a combination. Finney lands a few big punches on Malkoun. Malkoun works the jab, landing a series of them. Malkoun continues to work the jab. Malkoun drops Finney with a big right hand. Finney is trying to scramble for a takedown but Malkoun lands some big shots from the top before taking the back. Malkoun lands some left hands from the back as Finney crawls to the fence. Malkoun with more left hands from the back. Malkoun is looking for a choke. He’s got a neck crank locked on. He lets go. They stand late. 10-9 Malkoun, 20-18 Malkoun.
Finney lands more to start the third, but Malkoun connects with a right hand. Malkoun works the jab. They clinch and Malkoun lands a right hand on the break. Malkoun lands a right hand. Malkoun goes back to the jab. Malkoun pushes Finney against the fence as they clinch. Malkoun just pressuring against the fence. They break apart and Malkoun lands some punches. Malkoun lands some big shots and gets Finney down to the mat. Finney gets up but Malkoun still has control and they go back down. 10-9 Malkoun, 30-27 Malkoun.
Fight Result- Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
> Middleweights- Cam Rowston (13-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (11-7-1 1 NC, 5-6-1 1 NC UFC)
Rowston lands a leg kick. Brundage connects with a pair of left hands. Rowston lands a solid combination followed by a leg kick. Rowston lands a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Brundage lands a combination. Brundage with a left hook as Rowston was ducking. Brundage rushes forward and lands a left hand as they clinch against the fence. Rowston lands a knee as he reverses and lands some more knees in control. Brundage clips Rowston with a right hand and lands a pair of big punches that hurt Rowston for a moment. Rowston lands a calf kick. Rowston with another heavy calf kick. Rowston lands a low blow and time out is called. They get back going and Rowston lands a leg kick. He lands another. Rowston connects with a flush right hand. They trade. 10-9 Rowston.
Rowston pressuring forward and lands a front kick. Rowston connects with a right hand. Brundage rushes forward and lands some wild shots. Rowston with a big combo. Rowston has Brundage against the fence and lands. Rowston lands a knee as Brundage looks for a takedown. Rowston sprawls and lands some big punches. Rowston landing lots and lots of punches from the back and Brundage isn’t defending and it is stopped! Big finish from Rowston as he continues to impress.
Fight Result- Cam Rowston def. Cody Brundage by TKO (punches) at 4:08 of Round 2
> Light Heavyweights- Junior Tafa (6-4, 2-4 UFC) vs. Billy Elekana (9-2, 2-1 UFC)
Elekana lands a leg kick. Elekana with a body kick and Tafa lands a leg kick. Tafa drops Elekana with a right hand. Elekana starts scrambling for a leg and grabs the body lock as they stand. Tafa forces separation. Tafa with a leg kick. Elekana with a left hand. Elekana shoots for a takedown but Tafa defends it. Tafa lands a solid counter left hand. Elekana hurts Tafa with a jab. Elekana shoots for a takedown against the fence. They separate and Elekana stuns Tafa again with a jab. Tafa lands a left hand. Tafa lands a big right hand and some follow-up shots against the fence. Tafa lands a leg kick. Tafa lands to the body. Tafa lands some big shots at the end of the round but eats a counter from Elekana. 10-9 Tafa.
Tafa pressing forward and landing more to start the second. Tafa works the jab. Elekana works the jab as well as he’s avoiding and Tafa is slowing. Elekana hurts Tafa with a right hand. Tafa lands to the body. Elekana gets Tafa down to the mat and takes the back. Elekana locks in a rear-naked choke and Tafa pretty much immediately taps. Elekana gets the win.
Fight Result- Billy Elekana def. Junior Tafa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:18 of Round 2
MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
> Lightweights- Quillan Salkilld (10-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (18-8, 6-6 UFC)
Salkilld immediately goes for a takedown but Mullarkey is trying to defend it as he gives up his back. Salkilld lets go and lands some punches before they tie back up. Mullarkey scores a takedown but Salkilld quickly reverses to the feet. Salkilld with a leg kick. Mullarkey forces a clinch against the fence. Salkilld gets a big takedown into side control, then steps around to take the back. Salkilld looking for a rear-naked choke and has it locked in and Mullarkey taps! Another impressive win for Salkilld.
Fight Result- Quillan Salkilld def. Jamie Mullarkey by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- #12 Tai Tuivasa (14-8, 8-8 UFC) vs. #15 Tallison Teixeira (8-1, 1-1 UFC)
Tuivasa rushes forward and both swing before Teixeira scores a takedown. Teixeira landing big shots from the half-guard. They get to their feet as Teixeira still has body control. Teixeira trips Tuivasa back down and is in the full mount. Teixeira lands a pair of elbows. Teixeira still landing as Tuivasa is trying to escape. There is not a lot happening. Teixeira lands some punches and mixes in an elbow. They stand and Teixeira lands a knee on the way up. Tuivasa lands a right hand as they clinch. 10-9 Teixeira.
Both throwing kicks but none are connecting. Tuivasa lands a right hand and Teixeira lands a knee. Tuivasa lands an elbow and Teixeira with a knee followed by a body kick. Tuivasa with a pair of leg kicks. Tuivasa with another hard calf kick and lands a right hand. Teixeira lands a combination and scores a takedown. Tuivasa almost works his way up but Teixeira keeps him down. Teixeira gets the full mount. He takes the back and lands some punches. Teixeira gets back the full mount and lands. 10-9 Teixeira, 20-18 Teixeira.
Teixeira with some side kicks. Teixeira tries for a takedown but Tuivasa shakes him off. Teixeira is tired. Tuivasa clinches and lands a knee. He separates and Tuivasa lands some big punches that hurt Teixeira. Teixeira lands a right hand. Tuivasa lands a left hook then a big right hand. Teixeira gets a tie up. Both men are exhausted. Tuivasa lands an elbow. Tuivasa forces a clinch as both are tired. Tuivasa lands some big punches, mixing to the body. Tuivasa lands an elbow and a right hand and Teixeira shoots for a takedown, but Tuivasa sprawls to rest. Tuivasa lands some body shots. Tuivasa gets the back and lands a big shot but falls down and the fight ends. 10-9 Teixeira, 29-28 Teixeira.
Fight Result- Tallison Teixeira def. Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Lightweights- #9 Rafael Fiziev (13-4, 7-4 UFC) vs. #14 Mauricio Ruffy (12-2, 3-1 UFC)
Both throwing and missing on kicks early. They trade leg kicks about a minute in. Fiziev lands a left hand. Ruffy lands a knee. Fiziev lands a hard calf kick. They briefly clinch and Fiziev lands a body kick after they separate. Ruffy lands a jab and Fiziev lands a left hand. Ruffy lands a head kick. Fiziev with a body kick. Ruffy works the jab. Ruffy lands a knee followed by a right hand as Fiziev lands a leg kick. Ruffy lands the jab and a leg kick. 10-9 Ruffy.
Fiziev lands a leg kick. Ruffy with a spin kick to the body. Fiziev lands a body kick. Ruffy works the jab. Ruffy lands a leg kick. Fiziev is still pressing forward and controlling the distance. Ruffy with a double jab. Ruffy lands a nice right hand. Fiziev tries a spin kick but almost falls as it misses. Ruffy with a leg kick. Fiziev with a solid body kick. Ruffy works the jab. Fiziev with a leg kick but Ruffy counters with a jab. Ruffy rocks Fiziev with a right hand and Fiziev goes down. Fiziev is trying to get Ruffy down but Ruffy gets on his back and lands. Fiziev stands and Ruffy lands more big shots as Fiziev goes back down and more punches from Ruffy ends it! A big finish from Ruffy to pick up the win.
Fight Result- Mauricio Ruffy def. Rafael Fiziev by TKO (punches) at 4:30 of Round 2
> Lightweights- #6 Dan Hooker (24-13, 14-9 UFC) vs. #8 Benoit Saint-Denis (16-3 1 NC, 8-3 UFC)
Saint-Denis lands a hard body kick. Hooker with a high kick. Saint-Denis looks for a takedown but Hooker grabs the neck, though Saint-Denis escapes. Hooker with a high kick and Saint-Denis grabs the leg, but lets go. Hooker with a body kick. He lands another. Saint-Denis lands a right hand. They tie up but break apart. Saint-Denis lands a left hand. They clinch and Hooker reverses and lands to the body. They separate. Hooker with a body kick then a head kick. They tie back up and scramble for underhooks. Hooker pushes Saint-Denis against the fence. Saint-Denis gets Hooker down and is in side control. Saint-Denis lands some elbows. Saint-Denis is working for an arm. Hooker scrambles and they get to their feet. Saint-Denis with a knee and an elbow as Hooker lands to the body. They are both throwing wild shots and Hooker connects before Saint-Denis gets a takedown. Saint-Denis lands from the top and lands some elbows. 10-9 Saint-Denis.
Saint-Denis goes for a takedown and Hooker looks for a guillotine choke, but they scramble up. Saint-Denis is still working for a takedown as Hooker tries to defend. Saint-Denis gets it down into mount and lands lots of elbows. Saint-Denis looks for an arm. Hooker with body shots from the bottom. Saint-Denis lands from the mount. Saint-Denis is looking for an arm-triangle choke. It is close to being in but Hooker is fighting it. Saint-Denis lets go but gets back into mount and is landing lots of shots. Hooker is busted open. Saint-Denis lands to the body. Saint-Denis with lots of elbows from the top. Saint-Denis with more big shots from the top. Tons of punches from Saint-Denis and Herb Dean steps in to stop it. Big win for Saint-Denis!
Fight Result- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Dan Hooker by TKO (punches) at 4:45 of Round 2
> UFC Featherweight Championship- C Alexander Volkanovski (27-4, 14-3 UFC) vs. #2 Diego Lopes (27-7, 6-2 UFC)
Lopes lands a leg kick. He lands another. Volkanovski lands a pair of leg kicks. Lopes lands another leg kick and connects with a right hand as Volkanovski shoots for a takedown. They trade kicks. Volkanovski lands a right hand and they exchange inside the pocket. Lopes with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Volkanovski shoots for a takedown and has the body lock against the fence. Volkanovski lands as they break. Lopes lands a body kick. 10-9 Volkanovski.
Volkanovski lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Volkanovski with a jab and Lopes lands a solid leg kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick and Lopes fires one back. Lopes with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Volkanovski lands a jab. Lopes with a combo and a nice leg kick. Volkanovski lands a left hand as Lopes comes forward. Volkanovski lands a series of punches and Lopes lands on the end. Volkanovski with a big right hand. Volkanovski lands two more right hands and Lopes partially connects with a left hand. Volkanovski with another combo that lands. Lopes looks for a takedown but Volkanovski grabs the neck and jumps up for a guillotine choke. Lopes escapes and is inside the guard of Volkanovski. They stand and Lopes jumps up on the back as the round ends. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.
Lopes lands a combo. They’re both being more patient right now. Lopes lands a leg kick. Lopes with a combo and Volkanovski lands a jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a right hand to the body. Lopes lands an elbow off a brief clinch and Volkanovski works the jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand and then hurts Lopes with another right hand. Volkanovski looking for a takedown but Lopes defends. Volkanovski with another right hand. Lopes lands a body kick. Volkanovski lands a right hand and Lopes lands to where Volkanovski goes to his knees for a brief second but he gets right up. Lopes with a knee. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.
Lopes lands a leg kick. Volkanovski lands a solid jab followed by a hard right hand. Volkanovski with a short right hook. Volkanovski lands a combo. Lopes with a body kick. Lopes with a pair of leg kicks. Volkanovski works the jab. Lopes with a leg kick and a right hand. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Time out is called after Volkanovski lands a groin strike. They get back to action and trade. Volkanovski lands a right hand. 10-9 Volkanovski, 40-36 Volkanovski.
Volkanovski working the jab. Volkanovski gets the takedown and Lopes grabs the neck. Lopes lands a knee as they stand. Volkanovski lands a jab that almost drops Lopes as they clinch. Volkanovski gets a takedown and has back control as they stand. Lopes reverses and gets a takedown and takes the back. Volkanovski rolls to his feet and has Lopes on his back. Volkanovski shakes him off and lands some elbows before reversing position. Volkanovski has the leg and Lopes looks for an arm as they go to the mat. Lopes looks for an armbar from the bottom. Volkanovski gets out and is on top. Volkanovski stands. 10-9 Volkanovski, 50-45 Volkanovski.
Fight Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship
