UFC 325 Recap & Review

UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopez — High-Level Fights and Real Fight IQ on Display

UFC 325 was one of those cards where the skill level really stood out. A lot of high-IQ performances, a few surprises, and some fights that showed exactly why details and conditioning still matter at the top of this sport.

The main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopez was a perfect example of that. Volkanovski is 38 years old, and it honestly didn’t matter. Watching him work was like watching a clinic. He controlled distance, dictated the pace, and never let Lopez fully get comfortable. I had Volkanovski winning four rounds pretty clearly. What impressed me most was the fifth round—he knew exactly what he needed to do to shut the door and did it without taking unnecessary risks. That’s experience, fight IQ, and confidence all coming together. Performances like that are why he’s in the conversation as one of the best featherweights ever.

Earlier on the card, Quillen Sal Kilid made a serious statement against Jamie Malarkey. The rear-naked choke finish was clean, decisive, and quick. Every time I see Sal Kilid fight, he looks more comfortable and more dangerous. He’s one of those guys I’m officially keeping my eye on now, because if he keeps finishing fights like that, he’s going to be a problem for a lot of people in that division.

The heavyweight fight between Tai Tuivasa and Tallison Teixeira was tough to watch at times. I love Tai’s style, but the conditioning issues are hard to ignore, especially with the losing streak he’s on. Teixeira controlled the fight with grappling and didn’t let it turn into the chaos Tai usually thrives in. By the end, both guys looked exhausted, and it just reinforced how unforgiving heavyweight can be if you’re even a step behind.

Rafael Fiziev versus Mauricio Rufi was one of the highest-level striking matchups on the card. Fiziev started strong, but Rufi’s timing and precision ended up being the difference. Watching the exchanges, you could see how small mistakes in head movement and positioning get punished at this level. This fight was a reminder that the lightweight division is still absolutely stacked with killers.

The biggest surprise of the night for me was Benoît Saint Denis against Dan Hooker. I didn’t expect Saint Denis to dominate the way he did, especially on the ground. He controlled the fight, stayed aggressive, and eventually forced the TKO. Hooker never really got a chance to settle in, and that unpredictability from Saint Denis is what makes him dangerous. He’s clearly evolving and turning into a real contender.

Overall, UFC 325 delivered. Volkanovski showed why experience and IQ still rule, and guys like Sal Kilid and Saint Denis proved that the next wave is already here. Cards like this are why I love this sport—skill, strategy, and chaos all wrapped into one night.