UFC 325’s early prelims feature an intriguing bantamweight clash between Sulangrangbo and Lawrence Lui. This stylistic battle pits the young Chinese striker against the Australian grappling specialist in what promises to be a contrast of approaches. The bout takes place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Sulangrangbo brings youth and striking volume as the 19 year old phenom looks to continue his rise. Lui enters with home country advantage and elite wrestling credentials. Sulangrangbo opens as a –275 favorite, with Lui at +220 as the underdog. This fight represents a crucial developmental step for both bantamweight prospects.
Here’s how we’re betting UFC 325: Sulangrangbo vs Lui, including our UFC predictions, best bet, key props and an expert final verdict.
Mini Fight Info Strip
Event: UFC 325 – Qudos Bank Arena
Weight class: UFC Bantamweight bout
Fight length: 3-round early prelim bout
Date & time: Saturday, January 31, 2026 – Early prelims 5:30 p.m. ET, walk time ~05:50 p.m. ET
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Odds updated: January 29, 2026 – 11:45 PM ET. Lines may move before fight night, especially after weigh-ins or late injury news.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats to Know
Before we get into the matchup, here’s a Tale of the Tape for Sulangrangbo vs Lui.
Tale Of The Tape
Sulangrangbo
Lawrence Lui
Record
10-3
7-1
Age
19
28
Height
5’9″
5’7″
Reach
66″
72″
Stance
Southpaw
Orthodox
Sig. Strikes Landed
4.15
3.90
Striking Accuracy
51%
43%
Takedowns
0.00
4.13
Takedown Defense
100%
100%
Submission Avg.
0.0
0.0
Sulangrangbo holds advantages in striking volume, striking accuracy, height, and youth at just 19 years old. Lui counters with massive reach advantage (6 inches), elite takedown offense, and experience at 28. Both fighters have perfect 100% takedown defense, suggesting the grappling exchanges will be highly competitive. The southpaw vs orthodox matchup favors Sulangrangbo’s angles.
Fighter Breakdown – Sulangrangbo Analysis
Sulangrangbo comes in with a 10-3 record as one of the youngest fighters on the UFC roster. The 19 year old Chinese phenom is a pure striker with exceptional defensive wrestling and youth on his side.
Strengths: Extreme youth at just 19 years old. Superior striking volume and accuracy. Perfect 100% takedown defense has never been taken down. Solid striking defense (60%) limits damage. 2-inch height advantage. Southpaw stance creates awkward angles. Low damage absorption (2.98 per minute). Well-rounded striking with no major holes.
Weaknesses: Massive 6-inch reach disadvantage creates range problems. Never attempts takedowns (0.00 average) makes him one-dimensional. No submission threat whatsoever (0.0 attempts). Limited high-level experience at age 19. Faces nightmare stylistic matchup against wrestler attempting 4.13 takedowns per fight.
Betting Angles: Sulangrangbo’s -275 moneyline offers minimal value despite clear advantages. Sulangrangbo by KO/TKO (+165) is our best bet given his striking superiority if he stuffs takedowns. Sulangrangbo by Decision (+230) provides value if his perfect takedown defense holds.
Lui brings a 7-1 record with elite wrestling credentials and home country advantage. The 28 year old Australian is a grappling specialist who overwhelms opponents with takedown volume.
Strengths: Elite takedown offense with relentless wrestling. Massive 6-inch reach advantage despite height disadvantage. Perfect 100% takedown defense matches opponent. Superior striking defense (63%) despite lower accuracy. Experience at 28 years old. Orthodox stance provides clean striking lanes.
Weaknesses: Lower striking volume and poor accuracy. Never attempts submissions (0.0 average) despite wrestling focus. Faces perfect 100% takedown defense. Takedown accuracy only 35% despite high volume means inefficient wrestling. Limited finishing ability shown in career.
Betting Angles: Lui’s +220 moneyline offers value if his wrestling volume overwhelms perfect defense. Lui by Decision (+700) represents longshot path requiring grinding control. Fight goes the distance (+146) appeals given both fighters’ defensive metrics.
Sulangrangbo’s superior striking volume, accuracy, and perfect 100% takedown defense against Lui’s inefficient 35% takedown accuracy creates a pure striking battle where the Chinese phenom dominates. Lui’s 4.13 takedown attempts should be stuffed repeatedly, forcing extended striking exchanges where Sulangrangbo’s southpaw angles and youth overwhelm the Australian.
As Lui tires from failed wrestling attempts, knockout opportunities emerge. At +165 (implied 37.7%), we project this outcome closer to 45%, offering excellent value as the most likely finish method.
Both fighters’ perfect 100% takedown defense creates inevitable striking battles where finishes become likely. Sulangrangbo’s 51% accuracy and 4.15 volume suggests finishing ability, while Lui’s poor 43% accuracy makes him vulnerable.
Neither fighter has submission threats (0.0 each), but the striking exchanges should produce a stoppage. Sulangrangbo’s youth and conditioning against Lui’s failed wrestling attempts create late-round finish scenarios. At -186 (implied 65%), we project this finishes around 70% of the time, making it solid value.
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Small stake only. If Lui’s 4.13 takedown attempts per fight break through Sulangrangbo’s perfect 100% defense, his wrestling control could grind out rounds. The home-country judges might favor control time over striking output in close rounds.
Lui’s superior striking defense (63%) keeps him safe enough to survive striking exchanges. At +700 (implied 12.5%), this offers massive payout for the massive upset requiring everything going right for the Australian. Keep stakes at 0.25 units maximum.
Prediction – Final Verdict
Official pick: Sulangrangbo by TKO
We are backing Sulangrangbo to secure a TKO victory, overwhelming Lui with superior striking after stuffing repeated takedown attempts. The 19 year old phenom’s perfect takedown defense and striking superiority should prove decisive despite the home-country disadvantage.
We see Lui aggressively pursuing takedowns in round 1, but Sulangrangbo’s perfect 100% defense should stuff every attempt. The failed wrestling should drain Lui’s energy while Sulangrangbo lands clean combinations with his superior 51% accuracy from southpaw stance.
We see Lui beginning to tire in round 2. Sulangrangbo throws a perfectly-timed combination and drops the exhausted Lui, forcing the referee stoppage. This victory should announces Sulangrangbo as a legitimate bantamweight prospect to watch.
How to Bet UFC 325: Tips for This Card
Beyond this bantamweight striking showcase, UFC 325 offers several compelling matchups that create both opportunities and traps for bettors.
Card Tips:
Diego Lopes showed improved striking against Jean Silva with spinning elbow knockout. His evolution makes him dangerous, but nine months may not be enough time to close the gap against Alexander Volkanovski ..
Lui’s 4.13 attempts at 35% accuracy means wasted energy. Against perfect defense, volume becomes liability rather than asset.
While Lui fights in Australia, judges should remain neutral in clear striking dominance. Don’t overvalue location against superior skill.
UFC 325 Fight Card
Main Card (09:30 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Diego Lopes – UFC Featherweight Championship, 5 rounds
Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint-Denis – Lightweight bout, 3 rounds
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy – Lightweight bout, 3 rounds
Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira – Heavyweight bout, 3 rounds
Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey – Lightweight bout, 3 rounds
Prelims (7:30 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Justin Tafa vs Billy Elekana – Heavyweight bout, 3 rounds
Cam Rowston vs Cody Brundage – Middleweight bout, 3 rounds
Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney – Middleweight bout, 3 rounds
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott – Welterweight bout, 3 rounds
Early Prelims (5:30 p.m. ET – Paramount+)
Kaan Ofli vs Yi Zha – Featherweight bout, 3 rounds
Kim Sang-wook vs Dom Mar Fan – Lightweight bout, 3 rounds
Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay – Featherweight bout, 3 rounds
Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui – Bantamweight bout, 3 rounds
Aaron Tau vs Namsrai Batbayar – Flyweight bout, 3 rounds
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