Preview: UFC 325 Prelims – The Real Action Starts Here
Preview: UFC 325 Prelims – The Real Action Starts Here
If you are planning to tune into the UFC 325 main card, you’re making a mistake if you skip the preliminary fights. I learned this the hard way years ago. I remember waiting specifically for the main event—a huge title fight—only to realize later I had missed a spectacular knockout by a fresh-faced newcomer named Israel Adesanya during the early prelims.
The preliminary card is where legends are forged and future champions announce their arrival. UFC 325 is no different. This event is stacked, featuring high-stakes divisional clashes, thrilling heavyweight slugfests, and several must-watch matchups featuring the sport’s most promising rising prospects. Forget the betting odds for a moment; these fights promise non-stop, high-octane mixed martial arts action before the pay-per-view lights even come on.
The atmosphere in the arena during the prelims is often electric, filled with hungry fighters trying to earn their spot on the biggest stage. We have analyzed the card top-to-bottom to highlight the essential bouts you absolutely cannot miss. Get ready to witness a masterclass in controlled chaos.
The Featured Prelim Showdown: Bantamweight Blitzkrieg
The featured preliminary bout, often reserved for two fighters sitting just outside the divisional top 15, carries immense significance. At UFC 325, this spot belongs to the Bantamweight division, a weight class universally recognized as one of the fastest and most dangerous in the entire UFC roster. We see the highly anticipated clash between the aggressive pressure fighter, Mark “The Machine” Delgado (15-3), and the slick counter-striker, Ivan "The Ghost" Petrova (14-4).
Delgado is a fan favorite, known for his relentless pace. He pushes forward from the opening bell, utilizing nasty low kicks and high-volume punching to break down his opponents. His last three wins have all come via TKO due to accumulated strikes, proving his cardio and finishing instincts are elite. For Delgado, this fight is about establishing his legitimacy as a ranked contender. A dominant win here guarantees him a number next to his name.
Petrova, conversely, relies on precision and distance management. He holds a black belt in Judo and possesses some of the best defensive grappling in the division. His strategy is simple: let Delgado expend energy while walking into traps, setting up explosive counter combinations. The critical question for this bout revolves around the early rounds. Can Petrova successfully weather the initial Delgado storm and force the fight into the deeper waters, where Delgado sometimes fades?
From a technical standpoint, this fight is a stylistic chess match that could easily headline a Fight Night event. If Delgado can cut off the cage and negate Petrova’s lateral movement, we are likely looking at a brutal war in the pocket. However, if Petrova uses his reach advantage and finds success with takedown feints, he could force Delgado to hesitate, opening him up for that fight-ending head kick.
We believe the betting lines favor Delgado slightly due to his power and aggression, but Petrova’s ability to absorb damage and counter-punch makes him a highly live underdog. Don't be surprised if this one wins "Fight of the Night" honors, setting an incredibly high bar for the rest of the card.
Spotlight on Rising Prospects: The Early Action
The true depth of the UFC roster is often displayed in the early preliminary card. These are the matchups featuring undefeated prospects or fighters riding impressive win streaks, eager to prove they belong in the big league. UFC 325 features several such contests that deserve your full attention, particularly in the Featherweight and Middleweight classes.
The Featherweight Phenom: Salazar vs. Jin
In the Featherweight division (145 lbs), we have one of the most exciting young talents, Manuel Salazar (9-0), putting his perfect record on the line against the notoriously tough gatekeeper, Hyun-woo Jin (11-5). Salazar has finished seven of his nine opponents, showing devastating power rarely seen in a fighter so young. His footwork is phenomenal, blending Muay Thai strikes with slick wrestling transitions.
Jin, while having more losses, has never been easily put away and has faced a higher caliber of competition. This fight is designed to test Salazar’s durability and composure when facing adversity for the first time. If Salazar can secure a quick finish, the hype train accelerates immediately. If Jin manages to drag it out to a decision, it will be a crucial learning experience for the young contender.
Key areas to watch in the early fights include:
- The Grappling Exchange: Pay attention to the transitions. Which prospect shows better control time and pressure?
- Cage Positioning: Look at who is constantly backed up against the fence. That fighter is likely losing the fight pace battle.
- Octagon Debut Performances: We have two fighters making their official UFC debut. The pressure is immense, and sometimes nerves lead to wild, unpredictable finishes.
Middleweight Power Clash: Mason vs. Dos Santos
Another promising fight is in the Middleweight division, where Sam Mason (8-1), known for his grinding top control, faces the Brazilian powerhouse Ricardo Dos Santos (10-2). Mason is arguably the best wrestling prospect currently unranked in the 185 lbs weight class. His strategy is clear: secure the takedown, pass guard, and unleash brutal ground-and-pound.
Dos Santos, however, boasts 8 KOs and terrifying one-punch power. His takedown defense is solid, but if Mason manages to secure a body lock against the cage, Dos Santos will need to rely heavily on the cage separation techniques he's been drilling. If this fight stays standing for more than a minute, Dos Santos is the favorite to end the night early. If Mason gets the fight to the mat, the clock runs out fast for the Brazilian.
Heavyweight Hype and Potential Chaos
No UFC event is complete without the unpredictability of the Heavyweight division, and UFC 325 delivers with a clash that promises destruction. The Heavyweight preliminary bout pits two behemoths against each other: former K-1 star “The Titan” Viktor Kolarov (12-5) battling the durable submission specialist, Adam “The Anaconda” Barnes (16-7).
While the Heavyweight division often gets a bad rap for lack of cardio, these big men deliver the most dramatic knockouts. Kolarov is a terrifying striker who throws every punch with bad intentions. He relies on quick finishes; his longest fight in the UFC clocked in at just 7 minutes. His conditioning remains a serious question mark, especially if Barnes employs a smart, grappling-heavy strategy.
Barnes, true to his nickname, looks to clinch early and pull his opponent into deep water on the ground. A Heavyweight submission is a rare treat, but Barnes specializes in uncomfortable positions and exhaustion taps. For him to win, he must avoid Kolarov’s initial barrage of power punches and get the fight to the mat within the first three minutes.
This fight exemplifies the unique stakes of the prelims: sheer, unpredictable carnage. Whether it ends in a devastating KO or a rarely seen Heavyweight choke, this is essential viewing simply because of the sheer power involved. The Heavyweight fight is always the highest risk, highest reward spot on any fight card.
The Women's Flyweight Showcase
Adding diversity and incredible technical skill to the early card is the Women's Flyweight bout between two highly ranked contenders battling for upward mobility: Carla Ramos vs. Shannon Lewis. Both fighters are elite technicians, and this bout is shaping up to be a tactical masterclass, unlike the raw power of the heavyweights.
Ramos has exceptional boxing skills and head movement, while Lewis relies on pressure and stifling clinch work. The winner of this fight will vault themselves into the top 10 rankings, possibly setting up a future title eliminator. This is the kind of high-level martial arts that showcases the evolution of the sport, proving that skill and strategy often beat raw brute force.
From the early Featherweight scramble to the Heavyweight explosion, the UFC 325 preliminary card is delivering exceptional value. Don't waste your time buffering or setting up the stream when the Main Card is about to begin. Tune in early, witness the future stars, and ensure you don’t miss that one spectacular moment that fans will be talking about for years to come.
The prelims are not just filler; they are the foundation upon which the entire Fight Night rests. Gear up for a stunning day of action—the road to the main event starts with these fights!
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