Whether due to the recent lull in events or Paramount’s aggressive promotion, UFC 325 carried a distinct buzz. As a college MMA fan, I’m accustomed to friends getting excited for major fights, but widespread enthusiasm for an Alexander Volkanovski title defense is uncommon. Having watched the UFC evolve from the pre-ESPN era to now, the first two cards under the Paramount banner have been deliberately structured for maximum excitement. This makes strategic sense: Paramount is heavily invested and expects a return, and more thrilling fights directly translate to greater virality and growth for the UFC.

While not stacked with the biggest names, UFC 325 was packed with action, proving the matchmakers knew exactly what they were doing. The fight that stood out as a guaranteed barnburner was Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira.

Heavyweight fan favorite Tai Tuivasa put everything on the line for his home crowd but was ultimately undone by his conditioning against Teixeira. Tuivasa is renowned for his brutal one-punch power and his equally notorious lack of cardio. Teixeira, whose short career had never seen a second round prior to Saturday, entered enemy territory with a perfect game plan. He expertly used his wrestling advantage to neutralize Tuivasa’s power in the first round. Given that the second round was uncharted territory for him, I was keen to see how his cardio would hold up after a grueling opening five minutes.

By UD! 🇧🇷 Tallison Teixeira defeats Tai Tuivasa at #UFC325! pic.twitter.com/a7UGyoh8p6

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 1, 2026

To put it bluntly, it didn’t. Both men were utterly exhausted, unable to raise their arms by the midway point of the third round. Tuivasa found sporadic success with his boxing but couldn’t secure the finish, his body completely out of gas. Teixeira edged out a unanimous decision—a solid win over a perpetually dangerous opponent. While the heavyweight division’s technical depth is often questioned, the sheer drama of two big men throwing down remains undeniably entertaining.

Overall, Paramount’s move away from the traditional pay-per-view model is helping the UFC reach entirely new audiences. The new generation of fans now has an easily accessible archive, and Paramount’s card structuring suggests a desire for multiple fights with “all-time” potential per event. This is a win for the platform, the promotion, and the viewers. As this partnership grows, opportunities like international stadium shows, crossover super fights, and a more consistent event schedule will benefit the UFC and its fans alike. The sport’s future is bright as it taps into new markets. Electrifying fights like Tuivasa vs. Teixeira only amplify the growing conversation and media coverage.