Betting
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy Preview: UFC 325 Tips, Odds & Predictions
Date: Sunday, 1 February 2026 Time: 02:00 AM GMT Venue: Quods Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia SportsBoom will be scooting off Down Under soon for what promises to be an enterprising UFC 325. There is a packed undercard, featuring several intriguing lightweight bouts, such as Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy. Top UFC betting sites will be all over this, and we’ve shared some useful UFC betting strategies.
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Ignacio Bahamondes punches Rafael Fiziev / Getty Images
Going into this bout, Fiziev holds a decent 13-4-0 record; however, while Ruffy has contested three fewer fights, he’s only lost twice (12-2-0).
Fiziev was a comfortable victor during his last Octagon outing against Ignacio Bahamondes at a UFC fight night in Baku last summer, winning by unanimous decision in the third round. Ruffy, however, was forced into submission in Round 2 against Benoit Saint Denis in September, so he will be eager to get back on the winning trail.
But will Ruffy deliver on the night? Our Fiziev vs Ruffy preview contains more details.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
The pre-match betting odds for any UFC fight are often deemed a great starting point. We’ve meandered over to one of the best US online betting sites to see how the land lies for Fiziev vs Ruffy.
Rafael Fiziev: 17/25 (1.68) – 59.5%
Mauricio Ruffy: 57/50 (2.14) – 46.7%
*Odds courtesy of FanDuel, subject to change.
Tale of the Tape
Regardless of whether it is a standard run-of-the-mill lightweight contest or a title showdown, some MMA betting sites might not be as extensive when it comes to pre-bout stats.
This is where SportsBoom comes in. To whet your appetite for Fiziev vs Ruffy, we have compiled a table that essentially serves as a tale of tape, assessing the styles of each fighter.
Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Rafael Fiziev | Mauricio Ruffy |
| Age | 32 | 29 |
| Height | 5’8 (173cm) | 5’11 (180cm) |
| Weight | 155.5lbs (70.5kg) | 156lbs (70.7kg) |
Reach
| 71.5” (182cm) | 75.0” (191cm) |
| Record | 13-4-0 | 12-2-0 |
| KO/TKO | 8 Wins (62%) | 11 Wins (92%) |
| Submission | 1 Win (8%) | 0 Wins (0%) |
| Decisions | 4 Wins (50%) | 1 Win (8%) |
Rafael Fiziev News
Known as “Ataman”, Rafael Fiziev often appears to channel his inner Keanu Reeves/ Matrix moves during bouts by dodging and initiating flying kicks. Nevertheless, he is a top striker in the lightweight division, and he is steadily proving he could have a shot at the title one day.
Fiziev, who has proven to be a TKO/KO king with 62% of his victories coming via this method, is in the ascendancy. A three-game losing skid, including two defeats to Justin Gaethje and a loss at the hands of Mateusz Gamrot, sharpened Fiziev’s mind.
When on the attack, he likes to mix up shots to the head and body, and this could spell trouble for Ruffy if he isn’t careful. That said, while Fiziev’s footwork is tremendous, his timing has been off when he counters punches with switch kicks.
Mauricio Ruffy News
Currently 14th in the lightweight rankings, Mauricio Ruffy is starting to build up steam. Like Fiziev, Ruffy has excelled when it comes to claiming wins by KO/TKO. Moreover, Ruffy has won over 90% of his fights this way, which would suggest that he can finish off opponents quickly.
Ruffy has had to deal with the disappointment of cancelled fights over the past 12 months or so, including Claudiere Freitas and Charlie Campbell. The cancelled bout with Campbell preceded two wins in a row against James Llontop and King Green. Against Green, Ruffy produced a sensational spinning heel kick to seal the win inside the first round.
However, a chastening defeat at the hands of Saint Denis in the second round (rear naked choke) put things into perspective, and he will be looking to make amends against Fiziev.
Suggested Bets
To get the most from placing wagers at UFC bookmakers, we’ve picked out three lines that are worth latching onto for Fiziev vs Ruffy.
Mauricio Ruffy to Win by KO/TKO: Although Ruffy is going into the Octagon as the underdog for this contest, the number of wins he’s racked up by KO/TKO (11) is something that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. If he’s in the groove from the first round, there is nothing suggest that he can’t deliver a telling blow to put Fiziev stone cold on the mat. (29/50 with DraftKings)
Rafael Fiziev to Win: Given his pedigree and the fact that he’s higher up in the lightweight rankings, Fiziev has put Azerbaijan on the map for UFC. If Fiziev settles quickly and starts on the front, he could disrupt Ruffy and claim victory on the night. (4/5 with bet365)
Rafael Fiziev Over 0.5 Takedowns: Typically, Fiziev is clinical, and when it comes to takedowns, he has shown what he can do. Across his bouts, Fiziev has a 73% takedown accuracy rate, which is superb, and he averages just shy of a takedown every 15 minutes. The Over/Under takedown lines are available at reliable sites for UFC betting, and Fiziev to fulfil the Over 0.5 market is inviting. (10/11 with Fanatics Sportsbook)
Value Bets
Total Under 2.5 Rounds: Ruffy has notched a couple of first-round wins in the Octagon over the past 12 months, producing some devastating kicking. Fiziev’s last first-round win came over five years ago, but there is the potential for this contest to be decided quickly. Under 2.5 rounds has some legs to it. (4/1 with Caesars Sportsbook)
Fight to Go the Distance: Fiziev has been pushed hard in his past few contests. Against Rafael Dos Anjos a few years ago, Fiziev was taken to the fifth and final round before he threw a brutal punch to end the bout. Ruffy has been pushed to three rounds on a couple of occasions, and this bout could be cagey. This contest could keep the crowd on the edge of their seats, and the fight to go the distance line is valuable. (4/1 with ESPN Bet)
Mauricio Ruffy to Win by Decision: Given that Ruffy has only ever won one contest by decision, it would take something special to improve upon this record. That said, the clash of styles means this bout could make for compelling viewing, and Ruffy, if he’s able to hang in there, could take the fight by virtue of the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Rafael Fiziev to Win
The main card featuring Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes rightly deserves top billing, but Fiziev vs Ruffy could be one of those electrifying contests that ensure UFC 325 is remembered for all the right reasons.
Fiziev, like Ruffy, is a TKO/KO expert, but that is where the similarities end. Although Ruffy could give a good account of himself, Fiziev arguably has more tactical nous and calmness to go for the kill at the perfect time. Whether Fiziev can deliver a KO/TKO win remains to be seen, but he could well clinch victory.
Charles Perrin has spent more than six years covering the world of sports betting, during which he has collaborated with some of the most recognised sportsbooks in the UK, including industry leaders such as bet365 and William Hill.
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