The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is storming back into Australia with a blockbuster event that promises to be one of the most electrifying cards of the year. UFC 325, set to take place on Sunday, February 1, at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, features a highly anticipated featherweight title bout between Australia’s own Alexander Volkanovski and surging contender Diego Lopes.

For Australian fight fans, the good news is that not all of UFC 325 will be behind a paywall, with a newly inked broadcast deal providing free access to the prelims on Channel 10 and its digital platforms. From seasoned contenders to homegrown rising stars, the stage is set for a memorable fight night.

Free-to-Air Access: How Aussie Fans Can Watch the UFC Prelims

In a landmark agreement, Channel 10 has acquired the rights to broadcast selected UFC events, starting with the UFC 325 prelims. This means that fans across Australia can catch the preliminary fights live and free on Channel 10 / 10HD, with streaming available via 10.com.au and Paramount+.

Coverage for the prelims begins at 11am AEDT on Sunday, February 1, giving viewers a front-row seat to some of the best local talent in the octagon without spending a cent.

UFC 325: Full Broadcast Schedule for Australia

The main card, headlined by Volkanovski vs. Lopes, is a pay-per-view event, available through Main Event on Foxtel or via Kayo Sports. Fans who don’t have a subscription to either service can still access the event by purchasing it standalone on Kayo.

PPV Price

The UFC 325 main card is priced at $59.95 AUD.

Fight Night Schedule: When to Tune In

The action at Qudos Bank Arena will unfold as follows (local time zones included):

• Early Prelims:

  • 9:00am AEDT

  • 8:30am ACST

  • 6:00am AWST

• Prelims:

  • 11:00am AEDT

  • 10:30am ACST

  • 8:00am AWST

• Main Card:

  • 1:00pm AEDT

  • 12:30pm ACST

  • 10:00am AWST

Expect the main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to begin around 3:00pm AEDT, depending on the pace of the earlier fights.

Main Card Preview: Volkanovski Defends Featherweight Throne

Headlining the event is Australia’s reigning featherweight king, Alexander Volkanovski, who faces Diego Lopes in what’s being billed as a dynamic clash of styles. Volkanovski, known for his relentless pace and technical prowess, will look to extend his championship reign in front of a home crowd. Lopes, however, is on a tear and poses a real threat with his unorthodox striking and ground game.

Co-Main Event and Main Card Bouts

• Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight):
  New Zealand’s Dan Hooker brings his warrior spirit into a high-stakes clash with French powerhouse Saint Denis, a rising force known for his finishing ability.

• Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight):
  Expect fireworks as Fiziev, a Muay Thai ace, meets Ruffy, an aggressive up-and-comer eager to make a statement.

• Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight):
  Fan-favorite Tai Tuivasa returns to Sydney with his signature knockout power and crowd-pleasing style to face Brazilian Tallison Teixeira.

• Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey (Lightweight):
  A clash of Australians where both Salkilld and Mullarkey look to solidify their standing in one of the UFC’s most stacked divisions.

Prelims: A Showcase of Australian Talent

The prelims promise to be a celebration of homegrown fighters, many of whom will be competing in front of their fellow countrymen for the first time.

Key Preliminary Matchups

• Junior Tafa vs. Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight):
  The hard-hitting Junior Tafa looks to bounce back with a win against newcomer Elekana.

• Cam Rowston vs. Cory Brundage (Middleweight):
  Rising middleweight Rowston squares off with the American Brundage in a high-stakes tilt.

• Jacob Malkoun vs. Torrez Finney (Middleweight):
  Australia’s Malkoun returns to the octagon to face off with American Torrez Finney, in a bout that could steal the show.

• Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott (Welterweight):
  Micallef, representing Malta and now based in Australia, takes on Welsh grappler Oban Elliott.

Early Prelims: Emerging Fighters to Watch

The early portion of the card is filled with young and hungry athletes looking to leave a mark:

• Kaan Ofli vs. Yizha (Featherweight)

• Sangwook Kim vs. Dom Mar Fan (Lightweight)

• Keiichiro Nakamura vs. Sebastian Szalay (Featherweight)

• Sulangrangbo vs. Lawrence Lui (Bantamweight)

• Aaron Tau vs. Namsrai Batbayar (Flyweight)

While not televised on traditional platforms, these fights can be streamed via UFC Fight Pass or Paramount+, and often contain hidden gems and breakout performances.

The Energy Returns to Sydney

UFC 325 is more than just a title fight—it’s a celebration of MMA in Australia. With a card packed with Australian fighters, a fan-favorite champion in Volkanovski, and a new partnership offering free access to the prelims, this event represents a pivotal moment for the sport's growth in the region.

For those new to the UFC or long-time fans alike, UFC 325 promises an unmissable day of fights. Whether you’re watching on free-to-air or buying the main card, it’s time to gear up for an adrenaline-pumping Sunday.