UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski believes Movsar Evloev will defeat Lerone Murphy at UFC London and has stated his preference to fight Evloev next. Volkanovski (28-4-0) expressed his opinion on his YouTube channel.
Volkanovski is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes on January 31, 2026, at UFC 325. He has a UFC record of 15-3-0 and competed in 8 title bouts in the UFC with a record of 8-3-0 in those fights.
Volkanovski Prefers Evloev For Legacy
Volkanovski explained why he prefers to fight Movsar Evloev over Lerone Murphy, citing legacy and the challenge of Evloev’s wrestling style.
“I think pretty consistently Movsar will be able to get the takedowns and win the rounds because of it. So yeah, that’s going to be my take. So I’m going to have to go with Movsar, decision… It’s still going to be reasonably close but just, you know, I know Movsar is just going to keep edging him.”
‘The Great’ is looking for a challenge to try to beat a style that has proven dominant across multiple weight classes. He said:
“I love that. I think that’s bigger for my legacy. That’s going to be much bigger. But, they’re both great fights for the legacy, both of them. But, if I had to choose who I’d probably prefer, it’d probably be Movsar,” Volkanovski said.
Volkanovski mentioned that he has experience facing this wrestling style, referencing his first fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. He believes that Evloev will consistently secure takedowns and win rounds because of it.
Alexander Volkanovski has signed a new UFC contract following his featherweight title defense at UFC 325 in Sydney on February 1, 2026, it has been revealed.
The news came via Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube podcast, where Volkanovski confirmed he had re-signed with the promotion after defeating Diego Lopes in their rematch. The win was the first defense of his second reign and his eighth title defense overall, tying José Aldo‘s all-time UFC featherweight record.
Volkanovski Considered Retirement
In a candid admission, Volkanovski revealed he had contemplated stepping away from the sport if the Lopes rematch had inflicted significant damage on him. Given the knockout losses he suffered in prior fights, the Australian champion acknowledged his long-term health was a major factor in his decision-making.
“If I took a lot of damage, I might’ve retired,” Volkanovski said, per the podcast. The statement underscores a more measured approach to his career as he enters the later stages of his fighting life.
What’s Next for Volkanovski
With a new contract secured and his title retained, Volkanovski’s future at 145 pounds remains a hot topic. He has named both Movsar Evloev (19-0) and Lerone Murphy (17-0-1) as potential next challengers, with the two undefeated contenders set to meet in a title eliminator at UFC London on March 21.
Volkanovski has long been regarded as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, and his willingness to speak openly about retirement reflects the maturity of a champion who has nothing left to prove — but clearly still has the desire to compete.
In front of a capacity crowd at the Qudos Bank Arena, Alexander Volkanovski delivered a championship-level performance and retained the UFC featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 325.
With the win, Volkanovski now ties Jose Aldo for most featherweight title fight wins with eight total.
Lopes looked to bring some forward pressure as the two feinted and felt each other out. Volkanovski made good use of his strikes, including from range, but Lopes landed plenty of kicks as he continuously came forward.
Volkanovski landed a couple of cracking blows upstairs on Lopes during the second round. Lopes went for a takedown in the final minute. Volkanovski countered with a guillotine attempt, only to get grounded by Lopes, who went for a standing choke attempt before the horn.
Volkanovski landed a strong pair of hands late in the third round, though Lopes appeared to recover quickly. Lopes got a shot of his own with a quick right hand in the last minute of the third round, dropping Volkanovski, but the champ was right back to his feet. Though Lopes landed well with the calf kick, Volkanovski seemed to be ahead of him on the exchanges in the fourth round.
Lopes went for the finish anywhere that he could, threatening a choke at one point during the fifth round, and an armbar in the fight’s final minute. It was for naught, however, and Volkanovski nearly swept the scorecards for a decision win.
Alexander Volkanovski Retains Featherweight Title Vs. Diego Lopes At UFC 325
Volk is just way too slick. Lopez has had his moments, and he’s as durable as anyone I’ve seen, but just doesn’t have an answer for the technical ability of Volkanovski.
— David Parker ¹ | #LN1HASARRIVED 💚 (@DParkerF1) February 1, 2026
Volkanovski has to be up there for the most likable guy in the UFC. Love Lopez too so I’m torn but Volk is just the best
Volk is just such a smart fighter and so great at making adjustments in the middle of a fight. And whatever urgency we thought we might see from Diego Lopes the second time just never showed up.
Volkanovski defeated Lopes to claim the then-featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 314 in April. Volkanovski’s first reign began with a win over Max Holloway at UFC 245, retaining the title against Holloway (twice), “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung-Jung, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez.
Volkanovski, who also had two failed attempts to capture the lightweight title, lost the title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.
Lopes rebounded from the initial loss to Volkanovski with a finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3 in September. Lopes’ three losses in the UFC have come against Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev.
UFC 325 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. It’s the second consecutive week with a numbered UFC card, serving as part of the promotion’s launch on Paramount+. The main event will feature Alexander Volkanovski defending the featherweight championship against Diego Lopes. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!
Volkanovski vs Lopes 2: Featherweight Title Fight
Volkanovski and Lopes first battled for the featherweight championship at UFC 314 last April, following the title being vacated by Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski won a hard-fought, five-round decision to capture the title. This fight will mark his first fight since the title win.
This marks Volkanovski’s second run as UFC featherweight champion. Volkanovski originally won the title by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 245, going on to defend the title against Holloway (twice), Brian Ortega, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung-Jung, and Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski would unsuccessfully challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title twice before dropping the featherweight title to Topuria at UFC 298.
Lopes is 6-2 in the UFC thus far, with his two losses coming against Volkanovski and his short-notice UFC debut against Movsar Evloev. Lopes rebounded from his unsuccessful title attempt with a finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3.
The co-main event will see lightweight action featuring Dan Hooker and Benoit Saint-Denis.
Hooker comes into this bout off a loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar in November, a loss that snapped a three-fight win streak. BSD has won three straight, most recently knocking out Beneil Dariush at UFC 322.
If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 325!
Alexander Volkanovski is preparing to make history at UFC 325 this Saturday in Sydney, where the Australian featherweight champion will defend his title against Diego Lopes in a highly anticipated rematch.
At the pre-fight press conference, Volkanovski sent a clear message about his intentions, signaling a shift in approach that could define the next phase of his career.
Alexander Volkanovski Eyes History and Quick Return at UFC 325
The 37-year-old champion faces Lopes on January 31 at Qudos Bank Arena, marking his first title defense since reclaiming the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over the same opponent at UFC 314 in April 2025.
At the UFC 325 press conference, Volkanovski addressed questions about his longevity and announced a strategic evolution in his fighting approach.
“There are always going to be people asking, ‘Is this the end? Is this the last run?’ Anyone can catch you, that’s just this game, but beating me is something different,” Volkanovski said. “I still feel sharp, I still feel dangerous, and I still feel like I can run through these guys. I’ve got a tough fight ahead of me, I’m going to get my hand raised, and then I want a quick turnaround. I’m not here talking about being done – I’m here to remind everyone why I’m still at the top.”
The champion went on to detail a fundamental shift in his tactical approach.
“I said it the other week – I’m not overthinking this anymore. Before, I was always like, ‘All right, let’s not waste energy here, let’s be calculated, let’s go here, let’s go there,’” Volkanovski explained.
“Now I feel like I don’t need to be that calculated. I can just bully these guys. I’m not getting tired, so why am I not just bulldozing these guys when I actually can? I feel like I could have done this to all of my opponents, proper bulldoze them, go straight through them. That’s what I plan on doing this time. I’m going to go straight through this guy.”
Known for his disciplined footwork, educated lead hand, and ability to neutralize taller opponents through feints and calculated aggression, Volkanovski has built a resume that includes victories over Max Holloway (three times), Jose Aldo, and Brian Ortega, among others.
The shift appears to stem from Volkanovski’s belief that he can impose his will without compromising his cardio, one of his defining attributes. In additional media appearances, he elaborated on this new mindset, telling ESPN he plans to “capitalize on opportunities” and “really sit down” on his power shots.
The aggressive approach carries inherent risks. Lopes holds a 27-7 record with 22 stoppage wins, including 11 knockouts and 12 submissions. He demonstrated his finishing ability in September 2025 when he knocked out Jean Silva with a spinning back elbow at Noche UFC in San Antonio. That performance earned Lopes a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and solidified his position as the number two-ranked featherweight contender.
During their first encounter, Lopes nearly changed the course of the fight with explosive moments. He landed a right hand that knocked Volkanovski down with 10 seconds remaining in the second round, then hurt the champion again in the fourth round with a punch that appeared to compromise his vision. UFC commentator Jon Anik later suggested Lopes should have capitalized more aggressively during that fourth-round exchange.
Looking beyond UFC 325, Volkanovski has expressed interest in a quick turnaround. He told Ariel Helwani that he plans to take minimal damage against Lopes and return for another title defense soon after.
Volkanovski identified undefeated contenders Movsar Evloev (19-0) and Lerone Murphy (17-0-1) as potential future opponents. Both fighters have voiced disappointment at being passed over for the immediate rematch with Lopes, though Volkanovski suggested the UFC may be planning an eliminator between them.
At 37 years old, Volkanovski became the first fighter in UFC history to win an undisputed championship after experiencing consecutive knockout losses when he defeated Lopes at UFC 314. He also became the first fighter under 155 pounds to capture a title after turning 35.
Alexander Volkanovski prepares to defend his featherweight title at UFC 325 this Saturday in Sydney, but the 37-year-old champion has admitted the rematch against Diego Lopes might not move the needle on his legacy.
Volkanovski faces Lopes in the UFC 325 main event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 1, marking his first title defense on home soil in his storied career. The two previously met at UFC 314 in April 2025, where Volkanovski reclaimed the vacant championship with a unanimous decision victory after Ilia Topuria vacated the belt to pursue lightweight gold.
The matchmaking has drawn criticism from fans who question the value of an immediate rematch against an opponent Volkanovski already defeated just nine months ago. The Australian acknowledged these concerns in a recent interview with ESPN Australia, revealing his preference would have been facing undefeated contenders like Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy instead.
Alexander Volkanovski Questions What UFC 325 Does for His Legacy
“Some people might have wanted to see me against maybe a Movsar, an undefeated guy, maybe for legacy reasons and people that are in the know, but then you’ve got everyone that still just want to watch me fight,” Volkanovski explained, speaking to ESPN. “But yeah, obviously legacy-wise, having a rematch against someone I just beat, is it going to be doing so much for my legacy? Probably not.”
Evloev holds an undefeated record of 19-0 and sits at the top of the featherweight contender rankings after defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310. Murphy, meanwhile, extended his unbeaten streak to 17-0-1 with a spectacular spinning back elbow knockout of Aaron Pico at UFC 319 in August 2025. Both fighters represent fresh challenges that would carry more weight for Volkanovski’s resume than a second consecutive victory over Lopes.
The legacy question looms large for Volkanovski as he attempts to cement his status as the greatest featherweight of all time. A win at UFC 325 would give him eight victories in UFC featherweight title fights, matching the record held by legendary champion Jose Aldo. Aldo defended the UFC featherweight title seven times during his first reign and holds the record for most successful title defenses in division history.
Volkanovski’s recent career trajectory has complicated his case for the featherweight GOAT title. He suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Islam Makhachev at lightweight in October 2023 and then lost his featherweight crown to Topuria via second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February 2024. At 37 years old, questions have emerged about whether the Australian should continue fighting after absorbing such heavy damage.
The champion has indicated that if he defeats Lopes again, his next title defense would likely come against either Evloev or Murphy. However, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has thrown his name into the mix, expressing interest this week in dropping to featherweight to challenge for the title if he cannot secure a lightweight title shot.
UFC 325 takes place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, marking Volkanovski’s first fight in his home state of New South Wales since 2017. The Australian has spent much of his championship reign fighting abroad, making this homecoming defense particularly meaningful to local fans even if the opponent selection raises legacy questions.
Merab Dvalishvili is here to stay in bantamweight and rule his division.
“The Machine” retained his bantamweight crown with a dominant unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen in the UFC 320 co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dvalishvili showcased his relentless style against Sandhagen, combining precise striking with 20 takedowns to control the fight from start to finish. In the second round, he came dangerously close to ending the bout with a heavy flurry, but Sandhagen managed to survive.
The judges handed the 34-year-old Georgian a convincing unanimous decision, scoring it 49-45, 49-45, 49-46, securing his third consecutive successful defense of the UFC bantamweight title this year.
Taking names & making notes 📝@MerabDvalishvil remains the bantamweight champion of the world after #UFC320!
Merab Dvalishvili Confirms No Featherweight Move Planned After UFC 320 Victory
During the UFC 320 post-fight press conference, Merab Dvalishvili was asked whether he would consider moving up to challenge reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a potential champ vs. champ bout, given the lack of fresh challengers in the bantamweight division.
“This is my division,” Dvalishvili said. “I’m comfortable here. I don’t want to try and go up and make a mess because I don’t want to be without an invite. Like if somebody shows up at [Aljamain Sterling’s] wedding tomorrow, I would crush his face in, we would be mad. … I’m comfortable here. I want to be my division’s champion.”
“The Machine” made it clear that he has no desire to move up to 145 pounds, citing his deep respect for Volkanovski and his close friend Aljamain Sterling.
“I have respect for all these guys, especially my brother Aljamain Sterling, Volkanovski, I don’t want to fight these guys. I’m good here. I don’t know, we’ll see. So far, I have next plan to fight Petr Yan.”
Dvalishvili now boasts a 14-2 record in the UFC, with his last defeat dating all the way back to April 2018, when he was caught in a third-round submission by Ricky Simon at UFC Atlantic City.
UFC legend Alexander Volkanovski believes that Jack Della Maddalena is capable of defeating Islam Makhachev.
Later this year, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev. As we know, Islam is attempting to join a very exclusive group by becoming a two-weight world champion in the promotion. JDM, meanwhile, is attempting to prove himself as a legitimate force at 170 pounds.
It won’t be easy, but Jack Della Maddalena certainly has the tools necessary to overcome the former lightweight king. His fellow countryman Alexander Volkanovski agrees with that assessment.
Alexander Volkanovski believes in Jack Della Maddalena
“You can’t doubt him. He’s a welterweight, and you’ve got Belal, who’s a grappler-wrestler. Look how he handled that,” Volkanovski told Submission Radio of Della Maddalena. “He’s a beast on the feet. I guarantee you from that fight, his confidence in grappling and takedown defense has just gone to a whole other level.
“He’s going to be an absolute nightmare. I’m hoping to get some training in with him for this one, as well. We’ll tee something up, for sure. JDM – he’s a weapon. I know that Islam is not taking this one lightly, and he shouldn’t.”
“JDM’s boxing and pressure that he can do, incredible,” Volkanovski said. “He can definitely get a finish. Islam’s great. Him moving up, I still think, is a nightmare for a lot of the people in the division. But I think JDM can do it.”
Alexander Volkanovski is set to make his silver screen debut.
Volkanovski is widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweight champions in UFC history, holding a 27-4 professional record, which includes 16 wins by stoppage. Known for his versatile fighting style, “The Great” has defended his 145-pound crown five times, turning back elite challengers such as Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez.
The 36-year-old Australian reclaimed the featherweight title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 314 this past April. Now, after cementing his legacy in the Octagon, Volkanovski is set to showcase his combat skills alongside his acting chops on the big screen.
On Thursday, Legendary Pictures announced that their upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie is set to hit theaters on October 16, 2026. The studio also unveiled the full cast, with the latest addition, Alexander Volkanovski, joining to bring the iconic Street Fighter character Joe to life.
Secrets don’t last long in the arena—Street Fighter is now in production. In theaters October 16, 2026.
As per the film’s backstory, the character Joe, also known as “Superstar,” was once the unbeaten, undisputed U.S. kickboxing champion set for the Pan-American Fighting Championship, until clashes with his temper and financial troubles derailed his path, forcing him to live as a rogue. However, it is not yet known whether the upcoming film will follow the same storyline.
Image: @Street_Fighter/X
Which Big Names Are Joining Alexander Volkanovski In Street Fighter Movie?
The 2026 Street Fighter film marks the third live-action adaptation of Capcom’s iconic fighting game franchise and will be directed by Japanese-American filmmaker Kitao Sakurai, with a screenplay by Dalan Musson.
The movie features a high-profile, multi-talented cast, including WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as Guile, Roman Reigns as Akuma, Jason Momoa as Blanka, and Alexander Volkanovski.
Here’s the complete cast and character list for the upcoming Street Fighter movie:
Alexander Volkanovski has admitted that the turnaround between his knockout loss to Islam Makhachev and his fight with Ilia Topuria may have been too quick.
We all know that Alexander Volkanovski is the people’s champion. He’s also, as of this writing, the UFC featherweight champion. However, his first reign with the title came to an end in devastating fashion after he was knocked out cold by Ilia Topuria.
That defeat came just a matter of months after the suffered the same fate at the hands of Islam Makhachev. In a recent podcast appearance, Alexander Volkanovski opened up about the circumstances surrounding those two defeats.
Alexander Volkanovski’s take on Ilia Topuria defeat
“I go in too early and I get knocked out, I lose my belt,” Volkanovski said on The Unscripted Show, pointing out the difference between injuries in combat sports and in team sports. “That’s the fact and that’s what happened. I’m not taking anything away from Ilia. I’m just saying that that’s what can happen. So I got a crazy shin to the noggin and obviously Ilia can hit hard, we’ve seen that, but I mean, I’ve never been just completely lights out like that. I was lights out for a couple of minutes.
“He got me in the cheek. But as soon there was one good connection: snoring.”
“So am I saying that wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have the Islam [knockout loss]? I don’t know,” Volkanovski said. “Again, [Topuria’s] very capable of knocking me out. Like I said, if I’m ever going to lose, it’s someone catching me and he’s a guy that can definitely do it. A lot of people were like, ‘You were winning until you got caught.’ Yeah, that was the case, but I still wasn’t fighting my fight.”
“I was worried about getting hit and I was freaking out in there and I remember sitting there, I was in two minds. Try not to get hit but then telling myself, ‘You’re alright. You’ll come back to it. Relax.’ If I was that worried, then why didn’t I just shoot and be more defensive and just take him down and just hold him there, but then I would tell myself, ‘You don’t need to do that. You’re alright.’ … It was a tricky one. It was a tough one for me.
“You’ve seen this footage of me sort of breaking down and not knowing what I’m—If I’m like this now, how am I going to be after the sport’s done?” Volkanovski said. “That’s what I was worried about. Then I was like I need to keep busy. Told the UFC I want to fight. I end up fighting just after three months later with a bad concussion. Most people have six months, no head contact, and then start camp. I started training, when you’re training you’re starting head contact pretty quickly.”
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed that he’d be interested in a possible showdown with former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor.
As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is an absolute machine. He will take on anyone, anywhere, anytime. He is a two-time world champ at 145 pounds and he has never been one to shy away from a fight.
Of course, sometimes that’s led to his downfall, but he’s currently back on top of the mountain after beating Diego Lopes to win the title for a second time. With Alexander Volkanovski, though, he’s always looking ahead to the future.
In a recent interview, Alexander Volkanovski made it known that he’d be more than open to throwing down with the one and only Conor McGregor.
Alexander Volkanovski praises Conor McGregor and says he’d like to face him inside the Octagon 🍀🔥
"He was a great fighter. He was actually even a bit ahead of his time. He was really good. I don’t think people give him credit. He was sharp and all of that’s gone now. He’s… pic.twitter.com/7PXcnyAKzQ
Alexander Volkanovski is interested in Conor McGregor fight
“Probably Conor, man (I would pick to fight), a lot of people are gonna sit there and be like, ‘Oh yeah Conor is a boring answer’ but he was in the featherweight division, that era when he was just an absolute superstar,” Volkanovski told The Unscripted Show.
“The position you could put yourself in just fighting that guy. When you talk about building your platform, when we talk about money and all of that… The platform you on, you need to take advantage of it and that’s one fast track to getting people to notice you.
“He was a good fighter, he was a great fighter. He was another fighter that his accuracy, he was actually a bit ahead of his time, he was really good, I don’t think people give him credit… He had great timing, great set ups, good understanding of what works and what works for him, and yeah, he was sharp.
“A lot of that is gone now he’s probably gonna be reasonably sharp but he’s never gonna be the same Conor McGregor,” Volk continued.
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has spoken candidly about the concussion he suffered in his short notice rematch against Islam Makhachev.
As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is one of the most beloved fighters in recent memory. He made history as featherweight champion during his first run and now, he has the belt back once again. With that being said, prior to his triumph over Diego Lopes, he suffered nasty knockout losses at the hands of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
While some may think that the Topuria defeat was worse, Alexander Volkanovski himself has revealed that he got a pretty bad concussion off the back of losing the rematch to Makhachev.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals Islam Makhachev concussion
“I had a decent concussion from Islam,” Volkanovski said on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast. “I feel like I had more of a concussion from the Islam one. Even though I was knocked out longer with Ilia, I had a lot more of the symptoms with the Islam one. … So I didn’t have head contact [training afterward], but then when you’re easing into it, now you’re easing into it, making sure you’re not getting hit. Trying to put yourself in safer positions and you even start camp wrong. I should have had the break.”
“I can accept the situation and I’ll tell myself to make it work even though it’s probably not going to,” Volkanovski said. “I’m telling you, I went in there [ahead of the Makhachev rematch] going I’m going to be more dangerous now because I’m at 11 days. I literally told myself that. … I’m literally like, ‘This is the most dangerous you’ve seen me.’ I’m not beating him by decision, I have to go, I’m going to have to be more aggressive, I’m going to take more risks, and I literally believed it.”
UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has expanded on why he’d like to face the challenge of Movsar Evloev next time out.
Volkanovski returned to the throne at this past weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, commencing a second reign at 145 pounds with a convincing five-round victory over Diego Lopes.
It hasn’t taken long for talk to turn from his performance in Miami to his next opponent, and while some have pushed back on Evloev getting a shot due to his fight style, the champ wants to test himself against the undefeated Russian.
During an interview with Fox Sports upon touching down back in Australia, Volkanovski explained why he’d choose Evloev to be the first hurdle in his newly begun featherweight rule.
“I did mention Movsar. He is undefeated. I like the fact that he’s undefeated,” Volkanovski said. “And still one of the younger generation. … I think for the legacy, that would still mean so much.
“But is that what the fans want? Is that what the UFC wants? I don’t know. I’m going to need to talk to them and we’ll see what happens,” Volkanovski added.
The Australian veteran got the better of Diego Lopes across five rounds to bounce back from consecutive knockout losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, beginning a second reign at 145 pounds in the process.
Attention has already turned to the first defense of his new divisional rule, and Evloev is widely being branded the most deserving of the opportunity.
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, coach Joe Lopez assessed the Russian’s game and how it stacks up against the strengths of the champ.
“I think he is a good wrestler, but he’s not a – what would you call him? He’s good at getting people down, but he doesn’t really do much with it once he gets them down. And that’s what I guess makes him boring,” Lopez said. “So he just hangs on to them, and I don’t think he’s going to be able to hang onto Volk. Volk is just so strong, and his scrambling skills, and his jiu-jitsu and wrestling are another level. Volk just picks things up, if you look at the the beginning of the camp, when we break things down, and we see what each person’s really good at.
“So we’ve got Diego. Diego’s got a pretty good guard. The way he switches from armbars to triangles to sweeps, he’s very good at. He’s got a really good repertoire there, and at the beginning with the guys that we had, Volk was getting stuck in there. (But) by the end of the camp, Volk was not having any problems at all in those positions, and I think that’s what Diego felt when Alex took him down – that it’s not a place he wants to be with Alex on top of him because like I said, Alex’s pressure when he’s on top, he feels like a heavyweight on top of you, and then he just doesn’t hang onto you. He’s just looking to land some bombs or an elbow or something on you. So, you don’t want to be on the bottom when Alex is on top.”
Alexander Volkanovski’s victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 314 on Saturday night came at a cost, as he potentially sustained a broken hand during the five-round featherweight title bout.
Despite the injury, Volkanovski secured a unanimous decision win with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, reclaiming the 145-pound belt.
Volkanovski’s coach, Joe Lopez, discussed the potential injury in a recent interview with Submission Radio.
“He might have broke his hand, we still gotta get that X-ray. He did hurt his hand … It was earlier in the fight. Alex didn’t say anything about it [at the time], just at the end he was just saying, ‘I think I busted my hand.’” Lopez also noted the physical toll of the fight, adding, “I can’t remember which round. But yeah, he’s got a bit of a sore foot and just the bumps and bruises after having a five round war with a warrior.”
Lopez credited Diego Lopes for disrupting their initial game plan.
“After that first round, Diego channeled his inner Jose Aldo because man, his hips were on fire. We couldn’t get him back down. He did not wanna go back down there … We wanted to take Diego down or get him against the fence because he is very dangerous. He’s very explosive, and you could see he’s super tough. Alex put some big shots on him, and he he wore them like they were nothing.”
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev was a keen observer as two-time opponent Alexander Volkanovski returned to winning ways.
Many had already deemed Volkanovski’s days as a champ and top competitor on MMA’s biggest stage to have been over following consecutive knockout losses to Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
But in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 314 pay-per-view in Miami, “Alexander the Great” proved his detractors wrong with a vintage display to get the better of Diego Lopes and capture the vacant 145-pound gold.
Volkanovski has been getting plenty of plaudits in the aftermath of his first win since mid-2023, and among the most prominent to lay praise on the Australian was the lightweight king.
Congrats @alexvolkanovski great comeback! Real champ in sport and life 🏆
“Congrats @alexvolkanovski great comeback! Real champ in sport and life,” Makhachev wrote on X.
Prior to knocking the newly crowned two-time featherweight champ out in their short-notice rematch, Makhachev narrowly emerged victorious from a memorable five-round battle with the Aussie veteran in Perth.
It didn’t take long for top UFC featherweight contender Movsar Evloev to make his feelings known on Alexander Volkanovski’s return to the throne.
Volkanovski became a two-time champion in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 314 pay-per-view event, which went down inside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Following consecutive defeats to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, the Australian overcame a knockdown to convincingly outpoint Diego Lopes, capturing the vacant 145-pound belt in the process.
Before this weekend’s headliner, both title challengers publicly acknowledged Movsar Evloev’s claim to a shot against the victor. And the undefeated Russian hasn’t forgotten that.
Congratulations on an excellent performance, you’re a true champion! Now let’s see what your word is worth! @alexvolkanovski#UFC314
“Congratulations on an excellent performance, you’re a true champion!” Evloev wrote on X. “Now let’s see what your word is worth! @alexvolkanovski#UFC314“
Evloev has won all nine of his UFC fights to date, most notably beating Lopes, Arnold Allen, and Aljamain Sterling in his last three appearances in the Octagon.
A failure to record a single finish, however, has seemingly prevented the former M-1 Global champion from being given a title shot, and the entertaining Yair Rodriguez will hope that works in his favor after staking his own claim with a victory at UFC 314.
It was 14 months ago when Alexander Volkanovski lost his third straight fight and suffered his second straight knockout, losing the UFC featherweight world championship in the process.
Now, with Ilia Topuria moving up to lightweight, Volkanovski made the most of his opportunity to earn back the gold, defeating Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 in Miami to win the vacant title.
Volkanovski made history with his victory by becoming the first UFC fighter 35 years or older to win a UFC championship at a weight class below welterweight. He also becomes the second man, joining Jose Aldo, to regain the UFC’s 145-pound title.
Alexander Volkanovski is about to try and make history as the first fighter to win a championship fight over the age of 35 in any men's division at lightweight and below.
The two were patient to feel each other out, but Volkanovski was the first to get his striking going, landing a series of low kicks before a right hand. Lopes looked for a flurry, but Volkanovski managed to land another straight. Volkanovski cracked Lopes with less than two minutes into the round, rocking him. Volkanovski managed to score a takedown, and while Lopes was quickly back to his feet, he ate a harsh knee to the face. Volkanovski got Lopes back to the ground and troubled him with ground-and-pound until the horn.
Despite the rough start, and expert opinions his best chances were rushing forward with offense, Lopes continued to be patient in the second round. Volkanovski’s striking continued to remain on point despite Lopes shrugging off a takedown attempt. With less than two minutes in round two, Volkanovski rocked Lopes again in an exchange, bringing Lopes over to the fence to try for another takedown. Lopes was able to get out of it, and the two had another exchange in the closing seconds. Suddenly, Lopes dropped Volkanovski before the horn with a right-left combination, and thoughts circled as to if momentum would change.
Alexander Volkanovski Becomes Two-Time UFC Featherweight Champion With Decision Win Over Diego Lopes At UFC 314
Lopes’ corner begged him for more aggression, according to the commentary team, but the round seemed to be a slower-paced one. Volkanovski, however, continued to have more activity, clipping Lopes with a left hand about halfway through the round. Even when Lopes tried to get something going, including stopping a Volkanovski takedown attempt, the former champion was ready with something.
The championship rounds saw the fight continue the pace it was on. But with just over two minutes to go, Lopes caught momentum with an uppercut that bothered Volkanovski’s eye and rocked him. Lopes continued to chase Volkanovski down, landing a number of shots despite Volkanovski’s attempts to shake off the cobwebs.
Lopes landed another right hand early in the fifth round as he looked to find a way to get the win as the minutes slipped away. Volkanovski was firing back, however, sometimes landing a number of jabs before Lopes lands his next strike. Lopes continued to eat jabs as Volkanovski had more activity and got the better of the exchanges. Lopes looked to turn things up in the final minute, but Volkanovski was ready, answering back and keeping distance until the final horn.
This marked Volkanovski’s first fight since losing the UFC featherweight championship to Topuria at UFC 298 last year. Volkanovski came into this fight with a three-fight losing streak, having lost two lightweight title fights with Islam Makhachev within the year prior to the fight with Topuria.
After coming up short in his short-notice UFC debut against Movsar Evloev at UFC 288, Lopes entered tonight on a five-fight win streak, scoring finishes of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini and Sodiq Yusuff, as well as decisions over Dan Ige and Brian Ortega.
UFC 314 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!
The upcoming pay-per-view event at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, provides a chance for ex-UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to commence a second title reign. To return to the throne in the April 12 main event, the Australian is tasked with spoiling the ambitions of top contender Diego Lopes.
Co-headlining will be former three-time Bellator champ Michael Chandler, who will look to bounce back from his second setback to Charles Oliveira by getting the better of the surging Paddy Pimblett.
Elsewhere on the card, MMA great Patricio Pitbull debuts in the Octagon against Yair Rodriguez, Bryce Mitchell looks to stall Jean Silva’s surge up the ladder, and Dominick Reyes hopes to continue his resurgence at the expense of Nikita Krylov.
Nevertheless, every fight is still intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 314 ceremonial weigh-ins!
Topping the lineup will be former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who is tasked with getting the better of Diego Lopes if he’s to return to the throne after Ilia Topuria vacates it.
Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see former Bellator champion and two-time UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler attempt to hand the charging Paddy Pimblett his first defeat inside the Octagon.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Jean Silva, Bryce Mitchell, Yair Rodriguez, Patricio Pitbull, Dominick Reyes, Yan Xiaonan, Dan Ige, and Jim Miller.
UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 314 (as of 11/4), courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Alexander Volkanovski (-142) vs. Diego Lopes (+120)
Michael Chandler (+120) vs. Paddy Pimblett (-142)
Bryce Mitchell (+170) vs. Jean Silva (-205)
Yair Rodriguez (-205) vs. Patricio Pitbull (+170)
Nikita Krylov (-175) vs. Dominick Reyes (+145)
Preliminary Card:
Dan Ige (+145) vs. Sean Woodson (-175)
Yan Xiaonan (+120) vs. Virna Jandiroba (-142)
Jim Miller (+600) vs. Chase Hooper (-900)
Darren Elkins (+260) vs. Julian Erosa (-325)
Early Preliminary Card:
Sedriques Dumas (+164) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (-198)
UFC 314 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
After staging fights in Los Angeles, Sydney, and Las Vegas to open its pay-per-view schedule for 2025, the mixed martial arts leader’s next port of call comes in Miami.
One title will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes battling for the vacant featherweight belt. Co-headlining, meanwhile, will be a crucial clash at 155 pounds between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett.
Also on the main card will be returns for former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, Fighting Nerds standout Jean Silva, and longtime light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes.
UFC 314 Weigh-In Video, Results
UFC 314 takes place Saturday, April 12 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the UFC 314 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski (145lbs) vs. Diego Lopes (145lbs)
Lightweight: Michael Chandler (156lbs) vs. Paddy Pimblett (156lbs)
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell (146lbs) vs. Jean Silva (146lbs)
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez (146lbs) vs. Patricio Pitbull (145lbs)
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov (206lbs) vs. Dominick Reyes (206lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Dan Ige (146lbs) vs. Sean Woodson (146lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan (116lbs) vs. Virna Jandiroba (116lbs)
Lightweight: Jim Miller (156lbs) vs. Chase Hooper (156lbs)
Featherweight: Darren Elkins (145lbs) vs. Julian Erosa (146lbs)
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas (185lbs) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (186lbs)
Flyweight: Sumudaerji (126lbs) vs. Mitch Raposo (126lbs)
Middleweight: Tresean Gore (186lbs) vs. Marco Tulio (186lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle (137.5lbs)* vs. Hailey Cowan (136lbs)
*Nora Cornolle missed the bantamweight limit by 1.5 pounds, fine TBA
Although he came up short in his Octagon debut at UFC 288 in May 2023, Lopes has been on a meteoric rise ever since — stringing together five consecutive victories, three of which came during a relentless run of form over the past year. Now, the Brazilian is taking that confidence into the most significant fight of his career.
During the UFC 314 media day on Wednesday, Diego Lopes made it clear he has the skill set to defeat “The Great,” claiming he’s capable of winning by knockout, submission, or on the judges’ scorecards, no matter where the fight goes.
“I think whichever opportunity shows up first,” Lopes said through a translator. “I have heavy hands to put him down, and my jiu-jitsu is also dangerous – both on top and on bottom. We’ve seen that he obviously hasn’t been finished on the ground, he has really good ground defense, but guys have been able to lock submission on him. I think I just need one opportunity to finish.”
Diego Lopes enters UFC 314 riding the momentum of a dominant unanimous decision victory over Brian Ortega at UFC 306 this past September.
Meanwhile, Volkanovski last competed at UFC 298 in February 2024, where his long-standing reign as featherweight king came to a sudden halt after suffering a second-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. “The Great” has dropped three of his last four appearances.
Setting the stage for the UFC 314 headliners will be a key bout at 155 pounds. Former title challenger Michael Chandler will look to emerge victorious from his first fight since Charles Oliveira sent him to a 2-4 UFC record last November, as puts his top 10 spot on the line against Paddy Pimblett.
Also on pay-per-view will be a clash of light heavyweight contenders between Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes, the debut of MMA legend Patricio Pitbull against Yair Rodriguez, and the settling of a heated feud shared by Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes will take to the stage on Thursday for the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference. The latest edition will see every main-card fighter with mic in hand.
Saturday’s UFC 314 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with former featherweight kingpin Volkanovski looking to become a two-time titleholder at 145 pounds. If the Australian is to begin a new rule atop the featherweight mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a rising name in Lopes. Since impressing in a short-notice debut against Movsar Evloev, the Mexico-based Brazilian has won five straight to earn a first shot at gold.
Before those two collide in the UFC 314 main event, there will be high stakes in the division above. Setting the stage for UFC 314’s title bout will be a key lightweight contest between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. While “Iron” will return five months on from a second defeat to Charles Oliveira that has left him 2-4 in the UFC, the surging Scouser will look to carry the momentum from his quick submission of King Green last July en route to a place in the 155-pound title picture.
Elsewhere on the UFC 314 card, the controversial Bryce Mitchell faces the power of Jean Silva, Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull debuts in the Octagon against Yair Rodriguez, and top 10 light heavyweights Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes collide.
UFC 314: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 314 event, Thomas Albano, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through three cards in 2025.
Thomas Albano (9-4) & Pranav Pandey (9-4)
Ryan Jarrell (7-5)
Aakrit Sharma (5-8)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 314.
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Nikita Krylov hasn’t been seen in the Octagon in two years now, and it’s a long-awaited return at UFC 314 for a guy who’s looking to position himself for a future crack at the light heavyweight title. Dominick Reyes is a man who has had those shots at the gold previously, and it had been a rough road since that point. Admittedly, however, it has been nice to see him get his hand raised in his last pair of outings against Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith.
I’ll keep this one pretty simple: grappler vs. striker. Krylov will look to bring this one to the ground and control the action there. Reyes will look to prevent those takedowns and do work on the feet with his punches and kicks. Ultimately, I side with the man who – while not having competed for some time – is a strong finisher and has the true momentum between these two. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Ryan Jarrell: What a fun fight to kick off the UFC 314 main card. Both of these guys have a ton of power and know how to close a fight. Krylov is dangerous wherever the fight goes and only actually loses fights to the best in the division. At one point in time, Reyes was considered one of the very best at 205 pounds. Now on a two-fight winning streak with huge wins over veterans Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith, the former title challenger is looking like his younger self again.
If Reyes shows up at his best, I expect him to continue his resurgence. But I am not super confident that will be the case, which makes me question if Reyes is the play here. I won’t be placing any bets on this one, but I’m leaning Reyes to get his hand raised. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Pranav Pandey: I’ll be honest, this isn’t the most exciting matchup on the card for me, but it could still surprise us. On paper, it seems to lean toward Krylov. “The Miner” will likely aim to lean on his grappling and control Reyes from the outset. The big question is the layoff. Krylov has been out of action for more than two years, and it’s tough to tell whether he’ll return sharp or show signs of regression. On the other hand, “The Devastator” has looked solid in his last two outings and carries the more polished striking arsenal. That being said, my pick is Krylov. If he sticks to his strengths and avoids unnecessary exchanges, I think he gets the job done. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Aakrit Sharma: This is a tough one to pick! The Reyes that showed up against Jon Jones should’ve been able to beat any light heavyweight on the planet with ease, but he went on a four-fight losing skid instead, which were all decent losses except the Ryan Spann knockout. Anyone can land a KO blow at a heavy division like light heavyweight, but because Reyes has looked crisp with his 1-2 in his last two victories, I’m backing him to continue his much-needed winning streak at UFC 314. Reyes’ chin and openness to body kicks are his biggest weaknesses, and I don’t think Krylov has the style to exploit any of these. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Consensus: 2-2
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Images: UFC.com & Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC
Thomas Albano: As I’ve said in previous predictions pieces, if there’s one gym that is to watch for in 2025, it’s the Fighting Nerds. Jean Silva and his teammates have become some of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the Octagon and have developed such a system that has led to early success. If Silva is able to get a win over Bryce Mitchell, then the featherweight division needs to watch out.
“Thug Nasty” took a year off from the Octagon after getting brutally stopped by Josh Emmett. His return fight, unfortunately, I feel nothing can be taken away from because he defeated Kron Gracie in what was certainly one of the worst fights I’ve seen watching the UFC. Mitchell’s grappling is great, but that won’t help him here against a rising star in Silva, who is turning into one of the best all-around combatants at 145 pounds. (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: The Fighting Nerds are on an absolute tear and Silva might be the most exciting fighter of them all. Mitchell has had a tough time as of late, and I believe that will continue in Miami. Silva moves so well and his striking is a thing of beauty. The Brazilian is now 4-0 in the UFC, stopping all of his opponents inside of the distance. The man nicknamed “Lord” will eventually land a shot that Mitchell will not be able to recover from and will continue his impressive rise toward stardom at UFC 314. (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Pranav Pandey: This one’s got some heat behind it, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. On the feet, I don’t think Mitchell has much to offer against Silva’s striking. If this stays standing, “Lord” could pick him apart with ease. That said, Mitchell’s grappling-heavy approach is a real threat. If he’s able to drag Silva into his world, things could get tricky fast. But the key for Silva is to stay upright and avoid getting tangled in Mitchell’s grips. If he can do that, I see him taking over quickly. The way I picture it, once “Lord” starts finding his rhythm, it’s going to rain hard on “Thug Nasty.” (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Aakrit Sharma: Mitchell’s only two losses in MMA are to Josh Emmett, a KO machine who can knock out anyone, and Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight kingpin. On the other hand, Silva is riding one of the most impressive KO streaks in the UFC right now. I do think Mitchell has a good chin, and his ground game could be overwhelming for Silva, who hasn’t been tested by an elite grappler in the featherweight division yet. On the flip side, Mitchell is no stranger to taking on scary strikers, and his approach should be very similar to how he fought Edson Barboza.
Silva’s walking into the bout as a huge favorite, but I don’t think he’ll fire through “Thug Nasty” that easily. In fact, on paper, Mitchell has more tools to emerge victorious at UFC 314, and I’m expecting him to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Bryce Mitchell)
Consensus: 3-1 Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Images: UFC.com & Bellator MMA
Thomas Albano: Man, do I pray that this ends up being a Fight of the Night style bout. It has been a long time coming that Patricio Pitbull into the Octagon after – like fellow card member Michael Chandler – being one of the faces of Bellator for years. Pitbull was dominant in his time with Bellator, being a longtime king of their featherweight division, as well as a one-time champ-champ. Pitbull may have had a couple of rough outings in recent fights against Sergio Pettis and Chihiro Suzuki, but his title defense over Jeremy Kennedy last year showed he’s still one of the best in the world.
And then you have Yair Rodriguez. His wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett – as well as his gutty performance against Max Holloway – led him to challenge Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 290 for the featherweight title. Even though he did not come out on top, there was still plenty of high expectations and feelings of a bright future. The loss against Brian Ortega last year, however, may have spoiled some of that, and he’ll need a strong outing against Pitbull to maintain the idea that he is a viable title challenger, especially with names like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev jumping into the title picture over the last year or so.
This is a rough one to predict, and as I said, I hope this one is a back-and-forth war. Ultimately, I do see Pitbull doing just enough for a memorable UFC debut. (Prediction: Patricio Pitbull)
Ryan Jarrell: MMA fans have always speculated how Pitbull would do against the elite the UFC has to offer. It’s too bad we are just getting to see it now, when the former Bellator star is closing in on 40 years of age. That said, Pitbull is still competing at a high level and is fully capable of upsetting Rodriguez. If the Mexican fights smart and uses his length, he should be able to outpoint the veteran and cruise to a decision victory, which is what I expect to see in this one. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)
Pranav Pandey: This one has fireworks written all over it; props to the UFC matchmaking team for putting together such stylistic clash. “El Pantera” is pure artistry in motion. His striking flows effortlessly, and the way he blends creativity with chaos makes him a joy to watch. Add in his unorthodox style, and he becomes a puzzle not many can solve. However, Pitbull is a tank. He is powerful, relentless, and well-rounded. He is not just a knockout threat on the feet but also a seasoned grappler with a wealth of experience in high-pressure situations.
Sharing the cage with someone who brings that kind of forward pressure and physicality is never an easy task. I believe this one will remain close, but Pitbull might just tilt the momentum in his favor. (Prediction: Patricio Pitbull)
Aakrit Sharma: Pitbull claimed that he would’ve retired if he hadn’t signed with the UFC. Is it really the mindset with which you plan to take on a top contender like Rodriguez? Pitbull has a wealth of experience, but fighting in Bellator and Rizin, as harsh as it sounds, is not the truest test for a martial artist. Pitbull’s age is one of my first concerns, and I just see quite a many tools in Rodriguez’s arsenal to finish this fight. He’s just 32, which is why I am favoring him to win despite coming off consecutive losses to Volkanovski and Ortega as well.
Pitbull’s only path to victory here is an upset submission win, but I believe the Mexican has a solid ground game to get out of troubling positions. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)
Consensus: 2-2
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Michael Chandler couldn’t score the mega fight with Conor McGregor he’s been yearning for years. But Paddy Pimblett is probably the next best thing he can get, especially on the losing skid he has (and some may even feel this fight is a more entertaining one than McGregor-Chandler would have been). Pimblett has been a rising name in the lightweight division, and a win in this fight – namely a finish in this fight – would mean everything for his hype value. That being said, he’s taking on a veteran name in Chandler who has had his fair share of wars.
It will be interesting to see what happens if this fight goes to the ground, but it will be even more interesting to see if Chandler’s chin can hold up against a younger and speedier Pimblett – or if Pimblett’s weak striking defense hasn’t improved and Chandler lands a cracking shot. Pimblett has recently put out a big prediction that he’ll need just two rounds to finish Chandler, who has lost four of his last five fights. And it’s not out of the realm of possibility. (Prediction: Paddy Pimblett)
Ryan Jarrell: Any time “Iron Mike” steps inside of the UFC octagon, it is must see TV. I have never been completely sold on “Paddy the Baddy,” and I do believe he will be exposed in this fight. Chandler’s wrestling and takedown defense will allow him to dictate where this fight takes place. Ultimately, I think Chandler will stun the Englishman and capitalize with a barrage of unanswered shots leading to a much needed TKO victory. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Pranav Pandey: Another tricky one to call. I expect this to be a competitive fight, though not necessarily a striking clinic. I can see Pimblett relentlessly pursuing takedowns, trying to drag Chandler into grappling exchanges, while “Iron” will likely do everything he can to keep it standing — where he’s most dangerous. “The Baddy” is a real wildcard here. He’s unorthodox and can create problems if he finds the right position on the ground — or even on the feet. That said, for all the criticism Chandler receives, particularly regarding his recklessness and questionable fight IQ, he’s still a seasoned competitor with legitimate knockout power and a persistent pace.
I can see Pimblett getting caught in one of those chaotic exchanges. Chandler might just need one opening, and if he finds it, he’ll likely close the show. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Aakrit Sharma: Pimblett gets hit a lot, and it could very well cost him the fight against Chandler, even though the latter looked slow and inaccurate against Charles Oliveira. “Iron” has all the power in the world, and he showed that his cardio, even at 38, is still good enough for the lightweight division. Oliveira couldn’t submit Chandler despite almost always having his back for 20 minutes. This is as impressive as it gets, and I’m not expecting Pimblett to surprise the veteran in any way on the ground.
On the feet, again, Chandler has a titanium chin, and Pimblett hasn’t showcased KO potential at lightweight yet. My hot take is that the English fighter is just not that good and has been in really lucky matchups so far. At UFC 314, I’m picking Chandler to hand Pimblett his first UFC loss. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Consensus: 3-1 Michael Chandler
UFC Featherweight Title: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Thomas Albano: For the first time in over a year, Alexander Volkanovski is back in the Octagon. And just when we thought Ilia Topuria would rule over featherweight, in just 14 months it will end with his venture up to 155 pounds, leading to either Volk reclaiming the featherweight throne, or for it to be seized by the rising Diego Lopes.
Ever since coming in on short notice in his UFC debut and controversially losing to Movsar Evloev, Lopes quickly built a name for himself with wins over the likes of Dan Ige and Brian Ortega. His power is something to behold, and it will be interesting to see how Volkanovski’s accurate striking holds up against the wilder, but more powerful, shots that Lopes can deliver. And even though Volkanovski usually is able to bring the fight to the ground more than once during a fight, Lopes has some slick submissions that can catch him (or anyone for that matter) off guard.
This fight comes down to three things: How Volkanovski looks after more than a year away from the cage, if Lopes is able to get off to a strong start (which I feel he may need), and how Lopes is able to pace himself. That last part can be particularly important when considering that Lopes hasn’t gone five rounds before and he’s taking on a way-more experienced Volkanovski. Having said that, I’m getting this strange suspicion that youth will win out over experience here. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Ryan Jarrell: This is a very interesting fight for a number of reasons. The former champion has had a tough run as of late, but his only losses are to a couple of fighters considered the pound-for-pound best in the world. I think Volkanovski took the fight with Topuria way too soon and didn’t allow himself to fully recover from his KO loss to Makhachev. Now that he’s had a year off from active competition, I think we will see a vintage performance from the former champ and he will prove he’s still on that championship level. Lopes is legit and he very well may claim the title down the line. I just don’t see it happening here. Give me Volkanovski to win via decision. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Pranav Pandey: This is one of those matchups where my heart wants Volkanovski to pull through, but my mind leans toward Lopes. As much as I want to back “The Great” given everything he’s accomplished and the kind of fighter he is, I can’t ignore what Lopes brings to the table. With Ilia Topuria no longer part of the featherweight equation, the Brazilian might be the most dangerous contender in the division right now. Lopes brings a potent blend of finishing instincts and high-level grappling that could create real problems for Volkanovski. Stylistically, he has the kind of game that can disrupt the former champion’s rhythm. Still, this isn’t unfamiliar territory for Volkanovski.
Back-to-back losses might suggest a decline, but with “The Great,” it’s never that simple. Volkanovski has a proven ability to read opponents, make adjustments, and exploit even the smallest gaps in their game. And while Lopes is a serious threat, he’s not flawless. I have a feeling the Aussie will weather the early storm, make the right reads, and gradually start pulling ahead. If it goes into deep waters, I think that’s where Lopes starts to fade. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Aakrit Sharma: This was the toughest pick to make on the UFC 314 card. My heart wants Volkanovski to win, but it is factually proven that fighters, especially in lower weight classes, show a significant decline in performance and durability after 34. Lopes is powerful, but his fight against Dan Ige proves that he’s not at all ready to face the former UFC featherweight champ. However, again, age is a primary concern here, and I’m skeptical about Volkanovski’s ability to calm the early storm as he used to do gracefully.
This is a five-round fight, and I believe that Lopes only has the first two rounds to win the title. If the fight goes on to the later rounds, even a washed-up Volkanovski should be able to manhandle the Brazilian. My pick, though, is Lopes winning the title early by knocking out one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Consensus: 2-2
That’ll do it for our UFC 314 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 314 card below.
Main Card:
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson
Women’s Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper
Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Flyweight: Sumudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo
Middleweight: Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio
Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 314!
In addition to a chance at achieving two-time champ status, the bout marks the Australian’s attempt to break his current run of poor results, having been knocked out by both Topuria and Islam Makhachev in his last two bouts.
During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen pointed to that aspect of the storyline to suggest that it’s more than just the title on the line for Alexander the Great” this weekend.
“If he (Volkanovski) gets laid out or he gets stopped, people are going to be calling for a retirement,” Sonnen said. “I think Volk is not only fighting for a world title, but he’s fighting for his career.”
