Keiichiro Nakamura is set to face Sebastian Szalay in an exciting matchup at UFC 325, taking place on January 31, 2026, at the Qudos Bank Arena in South Wales, Australia. With an opening line that has Nakamura at +120 and Szalay at -140, fans are in for a closely contested fight.
Nakamura, a 27-year-old southpaw, boasts a professional record of 7 wins and 1 loss. Weighing in at 145 pounds and standing 5’10” with a reach of 70 inches, he is known for his striking capability, landing an average of 5.22 significant strikes per minute with a striking accuracy of 43%. However, he tends to absorb 3.39 significant strikes per minute, preventing 66% of the strikes directed at him.
Szalay, on the other hand, enters the Octagon with a professional record of 10 wins and 1 loss. This 31-year-old orthodox fighter measures 5’6” and also weighs in at 145 pounds, with a reach of 66 inches. Szalay connects on 4.25 significant strikes per minute with a striking accuracy of 44%, making him a formidable opponent. He has demonstrated a strong defensive skill set, absorbing only 1.27 significant strikes per minute and preventing 71% of attacks.
In terms of grappling, both fighters show relatively low takedown averages. Nakamura secures takedowns at a rate of 0.20 per 15 minutes while Szalay averages 0.15 takedowns per 15 minutes. Each fighter exhibits notable takedown defense, with Nakamura stopping 83% of attempts and Szalay at 84%. However, Nakamura has shown a lesser propensity for submissions, averaging only 0.2 submissions per 15 minutes, compared to Szalay’s 0.7 submissions per three rounds.
In their most recent bouts, Nakamura secured a unanimous decision victory over Kaiwen, landing 93 of 226 total strikes in a strong performance. Szalay, commanding a swift finish in his last fight against ChangMin Yoon, won by knockout in the first round, proving his striking power and efficiency.
Other noteworthy fights on the UFC 325 card include Rangbo Sulang vs. Lawrence Lui and Diego Lopes vs. Alexander Volkanovski, promising a night full of thrilling action. The anticipation around these matchups speaks to the depth of talent showcased in this event.
As the fight approaches, the dynamic between Nakamura’s striking output and Szalay’s defensive acuity will be critical factors in determining the outcome. Fans are eagerly awaiting a showdown that could very well redefine the paths of these promising fighters in the UFC.