UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 – Full Card, Start Time & How to Watch Guide

UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 is shaping up to be one of the biggest MMA events of early 2026. The UFC returns to Australia with a numbered card, headlined by the country’s greatest MMA star on home soil. The event takes place on Saturday, January 31, 2026 (Sunday, February 1 locally in Australia) at the iconic Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

This show continues the UFC’s new broadcasting era that began at UFC 324. Once again, fans can watch a numbered UFC event without any pay-per-view fee, streaming live on Paramount+ in supported regions. For Australian fans, this card carries extra meaning—it’s the UFC’s first Sydney event since UFC 312 and features a championship fight led by a hometown hero.

The main event is a UFC Featherweight Championship rematch between reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski and dangerous challenger Diego Lopes. Their first meeting ended with Volkanovski winning by unanimous decision, but Lopes has since rebuilt momentum and earned his shot at revenge.

Event at a Glance

Here’s a quick snapshot of everything you need to know about UFC 325:

• Event: UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2

• Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

• Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia

• Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes

• Co-Main Event: Dan Hooker vs. Benoît Saint Denis

• Broadcast: Paramount+ (no PPV required in select regions)

• Why It Matters: Volkanovski’s first title defense in Australia and a stacked international card with Road to UFC finals

Tickets are available through Ticketek, the official Australian ticket partner. Premium hospitality and VIP experiences are offered via On Location.

What Time Does UFC 325 Start? (Global Guide)

UFC 325 follows the updated timing: main card at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT), prelims at 7:00 PM ET, early prelims at 5:00 PM ET (times approximate; adjust for local broadcasts).

Note: Paramount+ covers U.S., Latin America, and Australia; check local providers elsewhere.

Main Event Preview: Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes

UFC Featherweight Championship

This is the kind of title rematch fans love—experience versus danger, control versus chaos.

Alexander Volkanovski (27–4) enters UFC 325 as the reigning featherweight king once again. After reclaiming the vacant title at UFC 314 with a clear unanimous decision win over Lopes, Volkanovski now gets something he’s waited his entire career for: a championship defense on Australian soil.

At 37, Volkanovski isn’t chasing hype—he’s cementing legacy. His game is built on elite fundamentals: sharp boxing, constant pressure, smart clinch work, and underrated wrestling defense. Fighting in front of a home crowd in Sydney adds emotion, but if history tells us anything, it’s that Volkanovski thrives when the stakes are highest. This could be one of the most meaningful moments of his career.

Across the cage stands Diego Lopes (27–7), one of the most dangerous finishers in the division. While Lopes lost the first fight on the scorecards, he earned respect with his aggression and willingness to push the pace. Since then, he’s answered every question—most recently with a brutal highlight-reel TKO over Jean Silva that reminded everyone why he’s a real threat.

Lopes brings explosive power, creative striking, and a killer instinct that can end fights quickly. If he can force scrambles, create chaos, and avoid falling into Volkanovski’s rhythm, the upset is very real.

Expect a fast-paced chess match: Volkanovski’s technical mastery and experience versus Lopes’ raw power and finishing urgency. If this one goes deep, it favors the champion. If it gets wild early, Lopes has his opening.

Co-Main Event Preview: Dan Hooker vs. Benoît Saint Denis

Lightweight Bout

The co-main event has all the ingredients for a fight-of-the-night contender.

Dan Hooker, the New Zealand fan favorite, returns to the spotlight looking to bounce back in a big way. Known for his toughness, volume striking, and willingness to trade, Hooker feeds off hostile environments—and Sydney will feel like home territory for him.

Standing opposite is Benoît Saint Denis, one of the most intense fighters in the lightweight division. The French standout brings relentless pressure, knockout power, and dangerous submission skills. He doesn’t take backward steps, and once he finds momentum, he’s hard to stop.

This matchup feels simple on paper but explosive in reality: Hooker’s striking and experience versus Saint Denis’ aggression and finishing instincts. Don’t blink—this one could end suddenly.

Featured Fights to Watch at UFC 325

Beyond the top two bouts, UFC 325 is stacked with action from start to finish.

• Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy – A pure striking showcase with serious speed and power.
• Jimmy Crute vs. Dustin Jacoby – Two seasoned veterans who love to stand and trade.
• Tallison Teixeira vs. Tai Tuivasa – Heavyweight chaos guaranteed, with the Sydney crowd firmly behind Tuivasa.
• Road to UFC Season 4 Finals – Rising talent from Asia and beyond fighting for UFC contracts on a massive stage.

UFC 325 Full Fight Card

Main Card (9:00 PM ET)

• Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes – UFC Featherweight Championship
• Dan Hooker vs. Benoît Saint Denis – Lightweight
• Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy – Lightweight
• Jimmy Crute vs. Dustin Jacoby – Light Heavyweight
• Tallison Teixeira vs. Tai Tuivasa – Heavyweight

Prelims (7:00 PM ET)

• Quillan Salkilld vs. Rongzhu
• Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija – Heavyweight
• Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott – Welterweight
• Kaan Ofli vs. Yizha
• Junior Tafa vs. Billy Elekana
• Cam Rowston vs. Cody Brundage – Middleweight
• Jacob Malkoun vs. Torrez Finney

Early Prelims (5:00 PM ET)

• Road to UFC Season 4 Finals – Flyweight & Bantamweight

From championship drama to heavyweight fireworks and rising prospects, UFC 325 delivers international flavor, home-country pride, and real title implications. With the event streaming live on Paramount+, fans worldwide can experience every moment of the action.

UFC 325 Tickets: How to Buy for Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 in Sydney

(January 31, 2026)

If you want to experience UFC 325 live in Sydney, tickets are officially available through Ticketek, the UFC’s authorized ticketing partner in Australia. Public ticket sales opened in December 2025, with early access given to UFC Fight Club members before the general release.

For fans looking for a premium experience, VIP packages are offered by On Location via UFCVIP.com. These packages usually include better seating, hospitality lounges, and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities—perfect if you’re traveling or want a once-in-a-lifetime fight night experience.

In terms of pricing, standard tickets typically start around AUD $200–$400 for upper-level seating, while lower-bowl and floor seats are priced significantly higher depending on location. As always, it’s best to buy only from official sources to avoid inflated resale prices and last-minute issues.

Quick venue tips:
Qudos Bank Arena has strict entry rules. Large bags are not allowed, security checks are thorough, and arriving early is strongly recommended—especially for a Volkanovski title fight in Sydney, where the atmosphere will be electric well before the first bout.

How to Watch UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2

Can’t make it to Sydney? No problem. UFC 325 streams live on Paramount+, with no pay-per-view fee required.

Both the Essential and Premium plans include full access to the event.

• United States: Paramount+

• Australia: Paramount+

• Latin America: Paramount+

• Other regions: Local UFC broadcast partners (availability varies)

You can watch on smart TVs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and streaming devices like Roku and Fire TV. Full replays will be available on demand shortly after the event ends.

In the days leading up to fight night, fans can also enjoy UFC Embedded, Countdown, and other behind-the-scenes content on YouTube and Paramount+, helping build the hype before the first punch is thrown.

Final Thoughts

UFC 325 isn’t just another numbered card—it’s a statement event. With Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight title on home soil, a dangerous challenger in Diego Lopes, and a stacked card full of international talent, this night has all the ingredients of a modern UFC classic.

Whether you’re inside Qudos Bank Arena soaking in the live atmosphere or watching worldwide on Paramount+, UFC 325 represents a defining moment in the UFC’s new era. If you’re a fight fan, this is one event you won’t want to miss.