MMAtown picks for UFC 325: keep it simple
Ufc is heading back to Australia for UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2, and the card’s headline rematch is already splitting people into two camps: “Volk still runs him” vs “Lopes leveled up.” MMAtown’s read is way less dramatic.
Pick #1: Volkanovski to beat Lopes again
The main event is a featherweight title rematch for a reason, but the core question is still the same: can Diego Lopes consistently win minutes against Alexander Volkanovski without gifting resets, angles, and clean looks?
In the first meeting, Volk banked rounds with pace, positioning, and the kind of “small advantages” that add up fast over 25 minutes. For this rematch, sure — Volkanovski is a year older. But the style matchup didn’t magically flip just because time passed. If anything, the bigger adjustment is on Lopes: he has to deny the rhythm, not just have moments inside it.
That’s why the MMAtown pick stays with Volkanovski in Fight: Lopes vs. Volkanovski. You can call it boring. Boring cashes.
#UFC325 POD 🥷🏿
— Ace (@BettingWithAce1) January 31, 2026
Volkanovski ML -145 1u 🇦🇺
This will be a big mismatch. Volk is on a different level compared to Lopes.
Like = Tailing 🖤 pic.twitter.com/bifhsjLf9V
Pick #2: Mauricio Ruffy if he’s still priced as the dog
The other MMAtown angle is purely a number play. If Mauricio Ruffy is sitting at plus money (or close to it) against Rafael Fiziev, that’s where we pounce.
Fiziev is dangerous and clean, especially when he gets you reacting to his speed and kick setups. But Ruffy has the type of composure that can turn a striker-vs-striker fight into a timing contest — and timing contests are where underdogs steal rounds, momentum, and sometimes the whole thing. It’s not “Ruffy is guaranteed.” It’s “Ruffy as an underdog is value.”
If the market gives you the dog price, MMAtown’s second pick is Fight: Fiziev vs. Ruffy with Ruffy.
Quick recap
Two picks, one sentence: Volkanovski by being Volkanovski, and Ruffy if the odds keep disrespecting him.
