When the octagon door shuts at Qudos Bank Arena this Saturday, fans aren’t just getting a fight; they are witnessing a collision of pure, unadulterated violence. While Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes battle for featherweight supremacy in the main event, the real fireworks might just be scheduled for the co-main slot. Our Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint-Denis preview breaks down a lightweight war that has “Fight of the Night” written all over it.
On one side, you have the local legend and City Kickboxing staple, Dan “The Hangman” Hooker, looking to defend his ranking and home turf. On the other, the revitalized French special forces operator, Benoît “God of War” Saint-Denis, who arrives in Sydney on the heels of a terrifying 16-second knockout of Beneil Dariush. With the division’s elite watching closely, this fight is more than just entertainment—it’s a final eliminator for the next tier of title contenders.
The Stakes: Gatekeeper or Title Contender?
For Dan Hooker (24-13), this fight represents a critical crossroads. After a career-best resurgence in 2024 that saw him defeat Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner, “The Hangman” hit a stumbling block last November with a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in Qatar. Taking this fight on a quick turnaround—just two months later—is a massive gamble. A win proves he is still a top-5 predator; a loss could permanently relegate him to gatekeeper status.
Conversely, Benoît Saint-Denis (16-3) has corrected course emphatically. After back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano in 2024, many wrote off the Frenchman. He responded by tearing through 2025, submitting Kyle Prepolec, choking out Mauricio Ruffy, and nuking Dariush. A victory over Hooker on Australian soil would be his biggest scalp yet, undeniably launching him into the title conversation currently dominated by Islam Makhachev.
Styles Make Fights: Technical Breakdown
The Hangman’s Trap: Knee Intercepts and Range
Dan Hooker is at his best when he can act as a matador. Standing 6’0″ with a 75-inch reach, he utilizes a stinging calf kick and a long jab to frustrate shorter grapplers. His signature weapon, however, is the intercepting knee. Saint-Denis is a pressure fighter who blitzes forward in straight lines—a habit that Hooker has punished historically (ask Gilbert Burns or Ross Pearson).
To win, Hooker must keep this fight at kickboxing range. He needs to circle away from the Frenchman’s power side and punish the body entries. If he allows Saint-Denis to crash into the clinch or secure a body lock, it will be a long (or very short) night for the Kiwi.
God of War’s Chaos: Relentless Pressure
Saint-Denis does not fight; he overwhelms. His strategy is built on breaking his opponent’s will through pace and heavy grappling. In his recent win over Dariush, he showed evolved striking defense and one-shot power, but his bread and butter remains his suffocating top game. According to UFC Stats, BSD averages over 4 takedowns per 15 minutes with relentless chain-wrestling.
The path to victory for Saint-Denis is clear: force Hooker to the fence. Hooker’s takedown defense is respectable (77%), but he struggles when flattened out or forced to carry weight for extended periods. The quick turnaround from the Tsarukyan submission loss is a glaring red flag that the “God of War” will likely target immediately.
UFC 325 Fight Card Information
Before the main event walkouts, ensure you know when and where to tune in. The card marks the UFC’s major return to Sydney.
- Event: UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2
- Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026 (Sunday, Feb 1 in Australia)
- Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
- Broadcast: Paramount+ (US), Main Event/Kayo (Australia)
Main Card
- Main Event (Featherweight Title): Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Diego Lopes
- Co-Main Event (Lightweight): Dan Hooker vs. Benoît Saint-Denis
- Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy
- Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira
- Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute vs. Dustin Jacoby
Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint-Denis Prediction
This fight is a classic clash of durability vs. damage. Hooker has one of the best chins in lightweight history, but the damage is accumulating. The quick turnaround after a submission loss is worrying, especially against a grappler as aggressive as Saint-Denis.
While Hooker will find moments on the feet—likely landing flush knees as BSD enters—the Frenchman’s durability and wrestling pace will eventually take over. Expect a chaotic first round where Hooker lands big shots, followed by Saint-Denis securing a takedown in the second and finding the neck.
Prediction: Benoît Saint-Denis by Submission (Round 2).
FAQ: UFC 325 Co-Main Event Details
What time does Dan Hooker fight?
The main card for UFC 325 starts at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT on Saturday, January 31. Expect Hooker and Saint-Denis to make their walk to the octagon around 11:30 PM ET, depending on the length of earlier fights.
Is Dan Hooker the underdog?
Yes. Early odds from major sportsbooks list Benoît Saint-Denis as a significant favorite (around -210), reflecting his recent win streak and Hooker’s quick return from injury/loss.
Where can I see the full fighter stats?
For a complete statistical breakdown of both athletes, including significant strikes landed and takedown defense rates, visit their profiles on Sherdog or the official UFC website.