TLDR
- Benoit Saint-Denis is a -340 favorite while Dan Hooker enters as a +240 underdog at UFC 325 in Sydney
- Saint-Denis has won three straight fights by finish, including a 16-second knockout of Beneil Dariush
- Hooker lost to Arman Tsarukyan via submission just two months ago in November
- The co-main event takes place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, January 31, 2026
- Hooker holds a 7-1 UFC record fighting in Australia, giving him a regional advantage
UFC 325 Main Event Odds
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight Championship)
- Alexander Volkanovski: TBD
- Diego Lopes: TBD
All UFC 325 Fight Odds
Main Card (9:30 p.m. ET)
Prelims (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Justin Tafa vs Billy Elekana (Heavyweight)
- Cam Rowston vs Cody Brundage (Middleweight)
- Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney (Middleweight)
- Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott (Welterweight)
Early Prelims (5:30 p.m. ET)
- Kaan Ofli vs Yi Zha (Featherweight)
- Kim Sang-wook vs Dom Mar Fan (Lightweight)
- Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay (Featherweight)
- Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui (Bantamweight)
- Aaron Tau vs Namsrai Batbayar (Flyweight)
Fight Time Information
Saturday, January 31, 2026
- Main Card Start: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT / 1:30 a.m. GMT (Feb 1)
- Salkilld vs Mullarkey Walk Time: Approximately 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
- Broadcast: Paramount+
Saint-Denis enters as a heavy favorite at -340. Hooker comes in as a +240 underdog according to betting odds from FanDuel and DraftKings.
The French fighter brings momentum from three consecutive finish victories. His most recent win came against Beneil Dariush at UFC 322, where he scored a knockout in just 16 seconds. Before that, Saint-Denis defeated Mauricio Ruffy via submission after controlling the grappling exchanges.
Hooker returns to action quickly after a tough loss. He was submitted by Arman Tsarukyan via arm-triangle choke in November at UFC Qatar. That defeat ended a three-fight winning streak that included victories over Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner.
The New Zealander has minimal recovery time between fights. He’s stepping back into the cage just two months after taking punishment from Tsarukyan. The quick turnaround raises questions about his readiness for another physical test.
Dan Hooker (155.75) vs Benoît Saint Denis (155.75)#UFC325 pic.twitter.com/RjFqdaTIjl
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 30, 2026
Fight Styles and Strategies
Saint-Denis fights with relentless forward pressure. The 29-year-old applies constant physicality in all aspects of the fight. His wrestling and submission game present constant threats to opponents.
He holds 16 career finishes with 11 submissions. His aggressive style breaks fighters who can’t match his pace. However, his cardio showed vulnerabilities in his 2024 loss to Dustin Poirier.
Hooker brings technical striking and veteran experience. The 34-year-old stands six feet tall with a 75-inch reach advantage. He can control range with kicks and straight punches down the middle.
His takedown defense sits at 78 percent. He’s faced elite grapplers throughout his career. Hooker also owns 18 career finishes with seven submissions of his own.
Regional Advantage
Hooker holds a strong record fighting in Australia. He’s 7-1 in UFC bouts held in the country. The regional support could provide a boost in a close fight.
Saint-Denis has never competed in Australia or New Zealand. The long travel and time zone changes could affect his preparation. Fighting close to Hooker’s home base adds another variable.
Path to Victory
Saint-Denis needs to push the pace early. His best chance involves taking Hooker down and controlling him on the canvas. Chain wrestling and ground strikes can wear down the veteran.
The Frenchman must avoid getting caught on the way in. Hooker owns a dangerous guillotine choke that has finished opponents. Rushing straight-line takedowns could leave Saint-Denis vulnerable.
Hooker’s path requires surviving early pressure. If he can keep the fight standing, his length and striking volume become advantages. His experience in five-round wars gives him tools to outlast opponents.
The New Zealander needs to avoid taking excessive damage. Getting battered early leaves him open to submissions. Keeping his defense tight allows him to rally in later rounds.
Saint-Denis finished his last three opponents in 2025 after losing twice in 2024.
