UFC 325: Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay Preview & Prediction
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Road to UFC featherweight finale delivers razor-thin matchup as Japan’s Keiichiro Nakamura meets New Zealand’s Sebastian Szalay.
Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay facts
What time are Keiichiro Nakamura and Sebastian Szalay expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 325? Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Where can I get tickets for UFC 325? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 325
What TV channel is UFC 325 on? UK – TNT Sports Box Office / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC 325? UK – TNT Sports subscribers who have paid for the fight can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 main card
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight)
Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight)
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight)
Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie Mullarkey (Lightweight)
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 prelims
Junior Tafa vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Cameron Rowston vs Cody Brundage (Middleweight)
Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney (Middleweight)
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott (Welterweight)
Kaan Ofli vs Yi Zha (Featherweight)
Kim Sang-wook vs Dom Mar Fan (Lightweight)
Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay (Featherweight)
Sulang Rangbo vs Lawrence Lui (Bantamweight)
Keiichiro Nakamura: Confident Japanese striker carrying power and pressure
Keiichiro Nakamura (7-1-0) enters this bout as a 27-year-old Japanese featherweight who has quickly built a reputation for assertive striking and composure beyond his experience level. Competing primarily on the Asian regional scene before Road to UFC, Nakamura has put together a seven-fight winning streak, rebounding impressively from the lone defeat of his professional career, which came in his debut via submission.
Nakamura’s game is built around controlled aggression. Fighting from the southpaw stance, he uses his reach well to dictate range, applying steady pressure with jabs, kicks, and straight lefts. He is not reckless, but he is willing to engage and trade when openings present themselves. His confidence and in-cage demeanour have become notable features of his performances, particularly in tournament settings, where he has shown the ability to rise to the occasion and deliver under pressure.
Sebastian Szalay: Polished New Zealander bringing defence and experience
Sebastian Szalay (10-1-0) steps into the final as a 31-year-old New Zealander, riding a nine-fight winning streak and entering as one of the more technically refined fighters in the tournament. With more professional bouts under his belt, Szalay has demonstrated an ability to adapt mid-fight and manage tempo effectively, whether the contest remains at range or moves into closer exchanges.
Szalay is a composed and efficient striker, prioritising defence and shot selection over raw volume. He absorbs comparatively little damage, using footwork and timing to slip strikes before returning clean counters. His recent performances have shown improved finishing instincts, including a stoppage win in the semi-finals, but he remains comfortable winning rounds methodically if a finish does not present itself. That balance between patience and opportunism is a key strength in high-stakes fights like this one.
Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay prediction
This matchup is defined by fine margins. Nakamura’s reach, southpaw stance, and power make him dangerous at all stages, and he is capable of ending the fight if Szalay lingers too long in striking exchanges. However, Nakamura is also the more hittable of the two, and his aggressive tendencies could be tested against a defensively sound opponent.
Szalay’s experience, defensive discipline, and ability to neutralise volume give him a slight edge if the fight extends beyond the early exchanges. If he survives Nakamura’s power and begins to read his timing, Szalay’s cleaner counters and composure could swing close rounds in his favour. In a bout likely to reach the judges, the fighter who absorbs less damage and controls tempo may ultimately prevail.
Prediction: Sebastian Szalay to win
