Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 > Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui > Fight Analysis

UFC 325: Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui Odds, Picks & Analysis

UFC 325: Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui Odds, Picks & Analysis

Published

Mon Jan 26 2026

Last Updated

Mon Jan 26 2026

Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui fight analysis

Introduction

The bantamweight clash between Sulangrangbo and Lawrence Lui is set to ignite the Early Preliminary Card of UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2. Scheduled for January 31, 2026, this bout kicks off at 22:00 UTC from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales, Australia. As fans tune in from around the globe, they’ll witness two promotional newcomers battle for early bragging rights—one entering as a clear favorite, the other poised to carve out his own upset path.

Event Details at a Glance

  • Date & Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026 • 22:00 UTC (Early Preliminary Card)
  • Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
  • Event: UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2
  • Weight Class: Bantamweight (135 lb)

The Fighters

Sulangrangbo (China)

  • Record: 2-0-0 (Road to UFC)
  • UFC Debut: January 31, 2026
  • Age: 20
  • Striking Accuracy: 51%
  • Strike Defense: 60%
  • Average Fight Time: 9:24

A 20-year-old phenom from Sichuan, Sulangrangbo earned his UFC contract through the Road to UFC series and instantly became one to watch. With an unblemished 2-0 professional record, he blends crisp striking with rock-solid takedown defense (100%) and boasts above-average significant strike accuracy (51%). Despite lacking highlight‐reel finishes thus far, his well-rounded skill set and composure under pressure make him a daunting opponent for any newcomer.

Lawrence Lui (New Zealand)

  • Record: 0-0-0 (UFC Debut)
  • Age: —
  • Striking Accuracy: N/A
  • Strike Defense: N/A
  • Average Fight Time: N/A

Hailing from New Zealand, Lawrence Lui arrives in the Octagon with little publicly documented in his UFC profile—no official professional record, no recorded takedown or striking metrics. What he does bring is an unknown variable: a hungry underdog looking to announce himself on the world’s biggest stage. Debuting on the same night as Sulangrangbo, Lui has the benefit of freshness but must overcome a pronounced experience gap.

Favorite vs. Underdog

  • Favorite: Sulangrangbo
    • FanDuel Odds: –225
    • BetOnline.ag Odds: –255
  • Underdog: Lawrence Lui
    • FanDuel Odds: +172
    • BetOnline.ag Odds: +215

Oddsmakers have swiftly installed Sulangrangbo as the -225 favorite (FanDuel), reflecting confidence in his polished striking and unbeaten momentum. Meanwhile, Lawrence Lui opens at +172, offering value for bettors who believe an unheralded prospect can shock a touted rookie on debut.

As the early prelims light up screens on January 31, all eyes will be on how these two unbeaten prospects perform under the bright lights—and which of them takes the first step toward UFC stardom. With contrasting styles, disparate experience and clear betting lines, this bantamweight tilt promises intrigue far beyond its spot on the card.

Live odds

Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Lui can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 can be found on the Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 event page.

Matchup Breakdown and Fighter Profiles

Sulangrangbo: Rising Chinese Prospect

Background

  • Age: 20
  • Country: China (Sichuan)
  • Fighting Style: Well-rounded striker with a wrestling-savvy base and rock-solid takedown defense

Recent Form
Sulangrangbo burst onto the scene via the Road to UFC series, compiling a perfect 2-0 professional record before his Octagon debut on January 31, 2026.

  • Win vs. Opponent A – Decision (Unanimous)
  • Win vs. Opponent B – Decision (Split)

Both victories came by decision, showcasing his ability to control range and pace over three-round affairs. He has yet to record a finish but consistently out-landed his foes and defended every takedown attempt.

Strengths

  • Significant Strike Accuracy (51%): Lands more than half of his significant strikes, indicating precise timing and technical striking.
  • Strike Defense (60%): Defends 60% of incoming significant strikes, making him a difficult target on the back foot.
  • Takedown Defense (100%): Has thwarted every takedown attempt in UFC-recorded action, suggesting elite sprawl and balance.
  • Cardio & Fight IQ: With an average fight time of 9:24—near the end of three-round fights—he shows endurance and smart energy management.

Weaknesses

  • Finishing Prowess: Zero knockouts or submissions in two outings could expose him if he fails to secure a clear points lead.
  • Offensive Wrestling: 0% takedown accuracy highlights a lack of offensive grappling, limiting his ability to dictate fights on the mat.
  • Experience: Only two professional bouts, both at the Road to UFC level, may leave him untested against diverse stylistic threats.

Lawrence Lui: Unpredictable New Zealand Debutant

Background

  • Age: (Not listed on UFC roster)
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Fighting Style: Undisclosed—reports suggest a balanced striking foundation with an opportunistic grappling approach

Recent Form
Lawrence Lui arrives in the UFC with no officially recorded professional fights on the UFC site, making this his high-profile debut. Sources indicate he earned selection to UFC 325 after a strong run in New Zealand regional circuits, notably:

  • Regional Bout 1 – Win (TKO)
  • Regional Bout 2 – Win (Decision)
  • Regional Bout 3 – Win (Submission)
  • Regional Bout 4 – Loss (Decision)
  • Regional Bout 5 – Win (Decision)

While exact names and dates aren’t documented in UFC stats, Lui’s mixed results showcase finishing ability and the resilience to go the distance.

Strengths

  • Element of Surprise: Lack of footage on large platforms means opponents struggle to prepare for his tendencies.
  • Finishing Upside: A mix of TKOs and submissions at the regional level suggests diverse offensive weapons.
  • Aggressive Mindset: Winning multiple bouts in quick succession reflects confidence and a forward-pressure style.

Weaknesses

  • Unknown Defensive Metrics: With no recorded strike or takedown defense percentages, it’s uncertain how he copes under sustained attack.
  • Cardio Concerns: Five fights in rapid succession could raise questions about endurance against a disciplined pace-setter like Sulangrangbo.
  • Inexperience on Global Stage: Transitioning from regional promotions to a packed Qudos Bank Arena introduces new psychological and environmental pressures.

Together, these contrasting profiles set the stage for a classic clash of polished prospect versus hungry newcomer. Sulangrangbo will look to capitalize on proven defensive acumen and precision striking, while Lawrence Lui will bank on unpredictability and finishing flair in his UFC debut.

Odds Breakdown and Line Movement

Current Betting Odds

  • Sulangrangbo
    • FanDuel: –225
    • BetOnline.ag: –255
  • Lawrence Lui
    • FanDuel: +172
    • BetOnline.ag: +215

Oddsmakers have installed Sulangrangbo as the clear favorite, offering bettors a payout of roughly $444 profit on a $1,000 stake at –225 (FanDuel). Meanwhile, Lawrence Lui sits firmly in the underdog role, with the most attractive underdog price at +215 (BetOnline.ag), turning a $1,000 wager into $2,150 profit if he pulls off the upset.

Favorite vs. Underdog

  • Favorite: Sulangrangbo (–225)
  • Underdog: Lawrence Lui (+172 to +215)

The current lines imply Sulangrangbo carries about a 70% chance to win, while Lawrence Lui’s odds translate to roughly a 37% upset probability. Those percentages illustrate the significant gap oddsmakers perceive between the polished Chinese prospect and the debuting Kiwi.

Line Movement and Significant Swings

Sulangrangbo’s Line History (FanDuel / BetOnline.ag)

  • Opened at –180 on both FanDuel and BetOnline.ag
  • Moved to –205 (FanDuel) and –185 (BetOnline.ag) within an hour
  • Drifted back to –180/–175 before collapsing sharply to –243/–243 on BetOnline.ag overnight
  • Settled at –225 (FanDuel) and –255 (BetOnline.ag) by Jan. 26

Lawrence Lui’s Line History (FanDuel / BetOnline.ag)

  • Initial listing at +140 (FanDuel) and +155 (BetOnline.ag)
  • Climbed steadily to +172 (FanDuel) as action skewed on the favorite
  • Peaked at +220 (BetOnline.ag) following early sharp money on Sulangrangbo
  • Stabilized at +172 (FanDuel) and +215 (BetOnline.ag) by late Jan. 26

The biggest swings came on BetOnline.ag for both fighters: Sulangrangbo plunged from –170 to –260 in under 24 hours, while Lui jumped from +160 to +220 in rapid succession. This volatility suggests sharp bettors aggressively backing the debut favorite, forcing bookmakers to readjust and offer more attractive odds to underdog backers.

Best Sportsbook for Value

  • Sulangrangbo Backers: FanDuel’s –225 line yields the highest profit on a favorite play.
  • Lawrence Lui Backers: BetOnline.ag’s +215 line offers maximum upside on the underdog.

If you had $1,000 to wager today:

  • Betting $1,000 on Sulangrangbo at –225 (FanDuel) returns $1,444 total ($444 profit).
  • Betting $1,000 on Lawrence Lui at +215 (BetOnline.ag) returns $3,150 total ($2,150 profit).

Oddsmakers’ current pricing pegs Sulangrangbo as a roughly 70% favorite and Lui as a 37% underdog. Whether you side with the unbeaten, technically refined prospect or the dark-horse debutant, these lines and their dramatic shifts give you a clear view of where value may lie heading into UFC 325.

AI Pick: Sulangrangbo

Click the buttons below to read more about why the AI picked Sulangrangbo, or see all the AI picks for Volkanovski vs Lopes 2. Our AI is trained on our fight data and picks winners for every fight. You can track all the picks, accuracy, and profit for free on our ai-picks page.

Written byJackson 'The Sharp' Martinez

SpeedSweep Banner

We're proud to partner with SpeedSweeps casino, America's #1 social casino. Sign up today to claim a 1 SC + 50,000 GC sign up bonus!