Potential matchups for UFC 325 main card winners

Alexander Volkanovski defends against the winner of Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy

In his post-fight Octagon interview, Volkanovski mentioned he would like to face Evloev and Murphy. He hinted there may be a bout between the two in the works. No official bout has been scheduled, but if it comes to fruition, the winner of that bout should be the next to challenge Volkanovski. 

Evloev is the No. 1 contender but has not been in the Octagon since UFC 310 in 2024. He had to pull out of his bout against Aaron Pico at UFC 325. Murphy was the one to take the bout with Pico on short notice. He won the bout by knockout with his amazing spinning elbow. 

Both Evloev and Murphy are undefeated in the Octagon. Whoever remains undefeated has to be the one to challenge Volkanovski.  

Benoit Saint-Denis faces Arman Tsarukyan

Saint-Denis had a great performance against the No. 6 lightweight Dan Hooker. He ended the fight via TKO but was threatening a deep submission for much of the second round.

Saint-Denis is on a four-fight win streak, and he deserves a shot with a top contender to prove he is worthy of fighting for the undisputed belt. 

With Justin Gaethje winning the interim lightweight title, he should be fighting champion Ilia Topuria next. No. 3 and No. 4 contenders Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway have a bout scheduled for the BMF title in March. That leaves Tsarukyan with no one to fight. A fight with Saint-Denis could be great for both. 

Both Saint-Denis and Tsarukyan are phenomenal grapplers. This potential matchup could be a great battle on the ground which would almost certainly end in a finish.

Mauricio Ruffy gets to take on Paddy Pimblett

Ruffy had a phenomenal win over Rafael Fiziev. Ruffy bounced back well after being submitted by Saint-Denis in September 2025. Pimblett needs to prove himself after being defeated by Gaethje. 

A dangerous striker like Ruffy could be exactly what he needs to bounce back. Ruffy would get a shot at a top contender and prove he deserves to be in the title-shot conversation.

Tallison Teixeira fights Mick Parkin

Teixeira beat No. 12 heavyweight Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision. It was an entertaining fight, but both fighters were sloppy and showed they have serious cardio issues. 

Teixeira was hurt badly multiple times in this fight, and a top heavyweight would have the cardio to finish him. For that reason, he should still fight someone ranked in the 10-to-15 range.

Parkin would be a great challenge for Teixeira. Both have a lot to prove, and it would be a fun striking bout. Parkin has better cardio and is a more complete mixed martial artist than Teixeira’s previous opponents. This would be a great opportunity for Teixeira to silence the critics about his cardio if he could put up a solid fight with Parkin. 

Quillan Salkilld gets a ranked opponent in Michael Chandler

Salkilld has been on a tear since joining the UFC in 2025. He finished Jamie Mullarkey via rear-naked choke in the first round at UFC 325. Salkilld deserves to fight a ranked opponent. With multiple prospects in the 10-to-15 range, the matchmakers would most likely like to give Salkilld a gatekeeper rather than a prospect like Fares Ziam or Manuel Torres. 

Chandler has been waiting for Conor McGregor for years. That could very well be a pipe dream at this point, and Chandler can’t wait forever. This would be an amazing striking battle that could main-event a fight night card or be on the main card of a marquee numbered event.