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!
Plenty of people in the MMA community were left scratching their heads when Alexander Volkanovski’s next defense of the featherweight title was revealed to be a rematch with Diego Lopes at UFC 325.
Having been less than a year since their first title clash, speculation started about why the fight was booked. Within that speculation came rumors that the fight would serve as Volkanovski’s retirement bout, win or lose — and debates on if it was time or not for Volkanovski to hang up the gloves.
Now, in an appearance on the January 12 edition of The Ariel Helwani Show, Volkanovski publicly addressed the rumors of retirement for the first time.
And he claimed that he has no idea where they came from.
“I guess people are just going off of what I say,” Volkanovski said. “Like, I’m like, ‘How many more do I have?’ You know, if I was to get beaten up, am I going to come back and fight? No, but that’s not my plans.
“Unless things go horribly wrong, I’m planning on going back out there.”
Alexander Volkanovski Claims No Plans For Retirement After UFC 325
This year marks Volkanovski’s 10th anniversary in the Octagon. Making his professional MMA debut in May 2012, Volkanovski arrived to the UFC as a 13-1 fighter in November 2016.
He won his first seven Octagon fights, including wins over Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes, and Darren Elkins, before defeating Max Holloway for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 245. He made four consecutive title defenses, defeating Holloway (twice), Brian Ortega, and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung-Jung.
In 2023 and 2024, things seemed to hit a low point for Volkanovski. Outside of a successful title defense against Yair Rodriguez, he unsuccessfully challenged then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev twice before dropping the featherweight title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. At UFC 314, however, he regained the then-vacant championship by defeating Lopes.
Volkanovski admitted, however, that it wasn’t long after that fight that he had an honest conversation about his future.
“There was a talk straight after my last fight.” Volkanovski said. “I’m like, ‘How many more?’ You never know. There were talks like that, but as soon I started training, I was like ‘Ah, let’s keep going.’”
Volkanovski took a clear unanimous decision over Lopes in their first meeting, but Lopes rebounded with a finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3 in September.
Nevertheless, Volkanovski aims for a similar (or better) result this go-around.
“Right now, I plan on everything going well, getting my hand raised, hopefully taking minimal damage so I can have a good turnaround,” Volkanovski said. “So the plan isn’t definitely to retire.”
Diego Lopes emerged victorious at Noche UFC, ending Jean Silva’s perfect UFC record with a devastating second-round spinning elbow knockout. The Brazilian featherweight used his post-fight platform to deliver a pointed message to Silva and his celebrated Fighting Nerds team: “Talk less, train more.”
Diego Lopes: Talk less, train more.
The knockout victory came at 4:48 of the second round after Lopes caught Silva with a perfectly timed spinning back elbow that opened a significant cut on Silva’s head. The sequence followed Silva’s aggressive pursuit in the final moments of the round, with Lopes capitalizing on his opponent’s forward momentum to land the decisive strike.
Following the stoppage, tensions escalated when Silva struck Diego Lopes in the back of the head while being attended to by medical personnel. Lopes addressed the incident during his post-fight press conference, expressing surprise at Silva’s reaction. “I was surprised he did that too. I felt the punch on the back of my head. I turned around, like he elbowed me in the back of my head? I don’t understand, for why? But it’s okay. This is maybe the emotion. Because this guy is a little bit hungry because he lost the fight.”
The Brazilian’s advice to Silva was delivered without hesitation when asked about his defeated opponent. “Maybe train more. Talk less, train more,” Diego Lopes stated during his post fight press conference
Lopes also explained his provocative gesture toward Silva’s corner team following the victory. The Brazilian climbed the cage and directed obscene gestures at Silva’s training partners, citing pre-fight verbal exchanges as motivation. “Before I enter the octagon, the cutman put the Vaseline in my face. His partners, his corners were talking a lot, like ‘oh you die today, this guy will kill you, you suck, this guy will knock you out.’ Talking a lot of bad words,” Diego Lopes explained.
The defeat represents a significant setback for the Fighting Nerds organization, which has experienced a dramatic decline in 2025 following their breakout success in 2024. All four major members of the Brazilian team have now suffered losses this year, with Silva’s defeat completing a troubling pattern for the previously dominant squad.
Caio Borralho and Mauricio Ruffy both lost at UFC Paris on September 7, marking the first defeats for these previously unbeaten fighters. Carlos Prates, though he bounced back with a knockout victory over Geoff Neal, also suffered his first UFC loss earlier in the year to Ian Machado Garry.
The Fighting Nerds, founded in 2014 by Borralho and coach Pablo Sucupira, gained international recognition for their analytical approach to fighting and their signature taped glasses worn by team members. The organization was named the “Best MMA Gym in the World” in 2023, surpassing established camps like American Top Team and American Kickboxing Academy.
Silva, who entered the fight riding a 13-fight winning streak dating back to 2018, acknowledged his team’s recent struggles in a post-fight statement. The 28-year-old admitted to abandoning his game plan and fighting emotionally rather than strategically. “Unfortunately, emotions were high on Saturday. I was performing well in the second round but let my fighting spirit take over. I fought independently and didn’t heed my team’s advice. This loss is on me,” Silva said.
The featherweight contender also addressed the broader issues facing his team, stating, “One thing you guys were right about… The Fighting Nerds lost three in a row. So the three of us must be making similar mistakes. So for sure, me, Caio, and Ruffy will have a meeting. We’ll figure this out and improve.”
For Lopes, the victory marked a significant rebound following his unsuccessful title challenge against Alexander Volkanovski in April. The 30-year-old improved to 27-7 overall and positioned himself for another potential title opportunity in the featherweight division.
The Brazilian earned both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses for his spectacular finish, adding $100,000 to his purse. Despite the animosity during fight week and immediately following the bout, both fighters eventually reconciled backstage, with Silva congratulating Lopes and predicting his future championship success.
Lopes’ message to the Fighting Nerds reflects a broader narrative about the team’s recent struggles and questions surrounding their ability to perform under increased scrutiny and against elite-level competition. Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman has suggested the team needs to incorporate more wrestling into their training approach to achieve championship-level success.
The victory establishes Lopes as a legitimate contender in the featherweight division while highlighting the challenges facing the Fighting Nerds as they attempt to recover from their most difficult period since gaining international prominence.
UFC star Diego Lopes has praised his Mexican fans for helping guide him to victory in San Antonio last weekend.
On Saturday night, Diego Lopes defeated Jean Silva in front of a pumped up crowd in Texas. It was an incredibly back and forth affair between these elite featherweight fighters but in the end, it was Diego who was able to get the last laugh and take a big step towards securing another UFC featherweight championship opportunity.
As we look ahead to the future at 145 pounds, you’d have to think Diego Lopes is going to be an important player for a good few years to come. He’s only 30 years of age and every time he goes out there, he seems to be adding more to his game.
In his post-fight interview, Diego Lopes made it clear that he wants to give back to those who have supported him over the years.
Diego Lopes praises Noche UFC crowd
“It’s very important for me to give to all the crowd, the Mexican crowd, the Latin American crowd, the people who made an effort to come here, to give them what they wanted. The message I am sending to everybody in the division is that I’m here, I belong with the elite. I’m here to stay.”
“I feel amazing. I work hard for this time and now I finish the job. I told you all week this fight is not going to five rounds. I told many times I’m finishing this fight before five rounds.”
The MMA world turned its eyes toward San Antonio, Texas, on September 13, as the UFC held its third annual Noche UFC event, with this year’s card taking place at the Frost Bank Center.
Since 2023, the UFC has annually held a card on Mexican Independence Day weekend, promoting Mexican heritage and celebrating the legacy of Mexican athletes who have competed in combat sports. After the inaugural event was a Fight Night card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, last year saw the UFC hold the event (Noche UFC 2: UFC 306) at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Plans for this year’s card were initially for it to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, but a new arena was unable to be constructed in time.
The main event saw a battle of featherweight contenders as Diego Lopes took on Jean Silva. This was Lopes’ first fight since a loss in a featherweight title bout with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314. Silva, meanwhile, had been on a 13-fight win streak, coming into this bout off a submission of Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314.
The co-main event saw Rob Font took on David Martinez, who filled in for an injured Raul Rosas Jr. Font had won back-to-back fights, most recently scoring a decision over Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle in February. Martinez made his UFC debut in March, scoring a knockout of Saimon Oliveira.
Who impressed? Who fell short of expectation? Let’s get into it with the Hits and Misses for Noche UFC!
Tonight we see The Fighting Spirit 🇲🇽#NocheUFC starts at 3pmET on the @ESPN app!
The Ultimate Fighter may not mean as much to people as it did years ago, but Danill Donchenko caught some attention the way he scored a first-round finish of Rodrigo Sezinando to claim the TUF welterweight title.
Sezinando started strong with a takedown, looking to use his grappling to get a strong start. Donchenko not only made his way back to his feet, however, but he landed short flurries, which included an elbow that busted Sezinando open. Donchenko’s striking would end up being too much, as Donchenko scored the first-round finish to win the competition.
Donchenko entered TUF 11-2, having served as Naiza FC lightweight champion on once occasion. He appeared to be one of the wiser participants in terms of fight strategy and analysis during the show. And after the way he performed throughout the tournament, hopefully for him this is the start to a successful run in the Octagon.
Miss: Tatiana Suarez’s Win Was Dominating But Dragging
With Weili Zhang moving up to flyweight to challenge Valentina Shevchenko, Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will be squaring off next month to determine the new champion. This presented a strong opportunity for former title challengers Tatiana Suarez and Amanda Lemos, who faced off at Noche UFC in a pivotal strawweight contenders’ matchup. Unfortunately, neither woman came out of it looking convincing of another title opportunity.
Suarez used her wrestling and grappling throughout the fight, keeping Lemos pinned against the fence and taking her down to the ground. Lemos had a late scare with her striking, but it was far too late as Suarez took a decision win — to the boos of many in San Antonio.
This was a dominant showing that allows Suarez to rebound from her unsuccessful challenge of Zhang earlier this year. While she clearly won the fight, it wasn’t anything that screamed she had to have the next title shot. She’ll have to hope no one else around her makes a more convincing case for the rest of this year.
Hit: Santiago Luna’s Star-Making Showing
Five Mexican-born fighters competed on the Noche UFC card this year, and perhaps none had as impressive of a showing than Santiago Luna. Luna pulled off a come-from-behind, first-round finish of Quang Le to open the main card.
Luna looked to be in trouble early on after Le dropped him with a jab in the fight’s first minute. Le attacked, looking to pour on pressure and score a quick finish. That finish came, but it was Le who was the victim of it. Luna survived the barrage and wobbled Le with a hook, laying in a flurry of ground-and-pound before the referee stopped the fight.
LUNA ENDS HIS DEBUT EARLY 🤩
It doesn't get any better for Santiago Luna on a night like this!
Luna has been an impressive finisher during his time on the regional circuit, and now he’s already gained momentum in his UFC debut. Hopefully for his case, the UFC can use this to build up another new Mexican star for their roster.
Hit: Alexander Hernandez Great For Second Time In Month’s Span
It was just last year when things didn’t look so great (pun intended) for Alexander Hernandez. But now he has newfound momentum, an exclamation point stamped on it after a hard-hitting finish of Carlos Diego Ferreira.
Ferreira controlled the action early on with his kicks, but Hernandez’s patience ended up paying off with a powerful right hand in the second that put Ferreira down and out.
THE HOMETOWN KID GETS THE HUGE KO 👊
Alexander Hernandez wins by round 2 knockout in San Antonio!
Hernandez has now won four straight, all coming within the last 12 months. It’ll be worth seeing if they give Hernandez another unranked opponent or if they put him up against someone in the lower portion of the lightweight rankings next.
Hit: Kelvin Gastelum And Dustin Stoltzfus Bring Spirit-Filled Outing
It’s unfortunate that Kelvin Gastelum’s five-pound weight miss leaves a bit of a black eye in his fight. And that’s because he and Dustin Stoltzfus had a fight that pretty much tore the house down.
Stoltzfus focused on attacking the body of Gastelum during the opening round, and he did so effectively. Gastelum, however, stormed back in the second round, which proved to be a wild, back-and-forth affair where Gastelum rocked Stoltzfus a couple of times. He then controlled the third round with his boxing to seal the victory.
After a long losing streak, Gastelum has now scored three wins in his last five. The question is if he’ll be allowed to continue at middleweight after a weight miss like this (and after he’s already been forced to move up to middleweight previously after weight misses at 170).
Hit: David Martinez With Upset Of The Year Nominee
David Martinez was all that was left to get all Mexican fighters to score wins at Noche UFC. But he had a tall task, coming in on short notice to take on all of the best bantamweights in the world — Rob Font.
Fortunately, Martinez was up for the task. Martinez came out firing with speed in the opening round, getting through Font’s decision to seemingly start slow and load up for power shots. Font did land some powerful strikes, and Martinez slowed down during the second, but Martinez’s volume came back in the third, taking the decision on all three judges’ cards.
The biggest win of his career 👏
David Martinez showed that he's someone that every bantamweight needs to keep their eyes on 👀
This is massive for “The Black Spartan.” Just two fights into his UFC run, and he’s now beaten one of the best 135ers in the world — and doing so in a fight he wasn’t even originally supposed to be in. He should have a strong number next to his name come Tuesday, and opportunities for him have more than opened up.
Hit: Diego Lopes Lights Up The Night
Even in a loss to Alexander Volkanovski this past April, Diego Lopes has had a lot of stock placed in him since his UFC debut a little over two years ago. And his popularity may have reached bigger levels with the way he performed in a finish of Jean Silva.
Lopes was dominant ealry on, stopping a takedown attempt and working his way into mount, landing a barrage of ground strikes that could have stopped the fight. Silva, however, survived and rocked Lopes early in the second round, with the two trading blow for blow in an outing that had the San Antonio crowd on its feet. Lopes would end things with a sudden spinning back elbow that floored Silva in a highlight-reel fashion.
Consider that Lopes’ only losses in the UFC are a controversial one against Movsar Evloev and the fight against Volkanovski, he’s really made a name for himself in this division. If he gets another win, perhaps he could be in line to challenge Volkanovski again — or challenge Evloev in a rematch for the title.
Miss: Fighting Nerds Eating Ls
It’s one thing for me to trash on Silva giving a blow to the back of Lopes’ head post-fight. That was completely unprofessional, but it was also in the heat of the moment.
What can’t be argued against, however, is that the Fighting Nerds have reached a low point.
It wasn’t long ago when some of us, yours truly included, said it wouldn’t be long — maybe in 2026 — when one of the Fighting Nerds would be a UFC champion. But now all of the Fighting Nerds present in the UFC have lost their unbeaten records — and this one comes just one week after Caio Borralho lost his UFC 0 in Paris.
This is a pivotal point for this team — either they’re going to take lessons from their losses and come out a stronger camp, or all of the momentum is going to crash out and they will just be a blip on the UFC radar. For their sake, I hope it’s the former.
In what was a wild outing that proved to be one of the best fights in MMA this year, Diego Lopes has rebounded from his unsuccessful featherweight title challenge earlier this year to score an amazing second-round finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC.
Silva attempted a takedown early in the opening frame and paid a heavy price for it. Lopes threatened a choke and then worked his way into full mount, landing a barrage of ground-and-pound for minutes on end, nearly getting Mike Beltran to stop the fight. Silva managed to get back to his feet, but not before having to escape a triangle from Lopes.
Silva came storming back in the second round, landing a right hand that appeared to rock Lopes. Silva seemed to get things going, but Lopes started firing right back, providing quite the spectacular firefight between the two. Then, with just seconds remaining in the second round, Lopes landed a surprise spinning back elbow that bloodied Silva and sent him crumbling.
Lopes then landed ground-and-pound until the referee waved off the contest.
Diego Lopes Stops Jean Silva In Wild Brawl That Headlined Third Annual Noche UFC
Fight of the year. If you disagree you’re wrong. Diego Lopes is THAT GUY #UFCNoche
Lopes has now won six of his last seven. This was his first fight since facing Alexander Volkanovski for the then-vacant UFC featherweight title at UFC 314.
This loss snapped a 13-fight win streak for Silva, who tastes defeat for the first time in the Octagon. He came into this bout off a submission of Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314.
UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, featherweights Diego Lopes and Jean Silva clashed. While in the co-main event, Rob Font faced off with David Martinez in a bantamweight matchup.
UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card
Featherweight bout: Diego Lopes def. Jean Silva via TKO: R2, 4.48
Bantamweight bout: David Martínez def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Lightweight bout: Rafa García def. Jared Gordon via TKO: R3, 2.27
The third annual Noche UFC is almost here, and we here at MMA News are here to provide you the latest on betting odds for the card.
The card takes place from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, September 13. The main card portion of the event will start at 6PM ET/3PM PT, with preliminary action starting at 3PM ET/12PM PT.
The main event of the card will see Diego Lopes facing Jean Silva in a battle of notable featherweight contenders.
In the co-main event, Rob Font will take on David Martinez in a bantamweight matchup.
The main card will also feature Rafa Garcia taking on Jared Gordon, Kelvin Gastelum against Dustin Stoltzfus, Alexander Hernandez vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Santiago Luna facing Quang Lee.
Noche UFC 3: Lopes vs. Silva Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Paris as of September 12 at 10:30pm ET, courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card
Featherweight: Diego Lopes (+200) vs. Jean Silva (-245)
Bantamweight: Rob Font (-115) vs. David Martinez (-105)
Lightweight: Rafa Garcia (+180) vs. Jared Gordon (-218)
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum (-230) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (+190)
Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez (-102) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (-118)
Bantamweight: Santiago Luna (-135) vs. Quang Lee (+114)
Preliminary Card
Middleweight: Jose Daniel Medina (+330) vs. Dusko Todorovic (-425)
Lightweight: Claudio Puelles (-130) vs. Joaquim Silva (+110)
Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez (-440) vs. Amanda Lemos (+340)
Flyweight: Jesus Santos Aguilar (+170) vs. Luis Gurule (-205)
Middleweight: Zachary Reese (-230) vs. Sedriques Dumas (+190)
Flyweight: Alessandro Costa (-395) vs. Alden Coria (+310)
Women’s Bantamweight: Montserrat Rendon (+124) vs. Alice Pereira (-148)
Welterweight: Rodrigo Sezinando (+170) vs. Danill Donchenko (-205)
We’re a little less than 24 hours away from the third annual Noche UFC, and MMA News is here to bring you the video from the ceremonial weigh-ins for the card!
Noche UFC takes place on September 13 from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The main event will see a featherweight showdown featuring contenders Diego Lopes and Jean Silva. This will be Lopes’ first fight since falling short in a fight with Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 314. Silva is on a 13-fight win streak, which includes a 5-0 record with five finishes in the Octagon. This will be his first fight since submitting Bryce Mitchell, a fight that also took place at UFC 314.
The co-main event will see a bantamweight battle between Rob Font and David Martinez. Font has won two straight and three of his last five, most recently scoring a split decision over Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle in February. Martinez, filling in for an injured Raul Rosas Jr., has won eight straight and enters with a 12-1 professional MMA record. Martinez, the former Combate Global champion, scored a first-round finish of Saimon Oliveira in his UFC debut this past March.
The rest of the main card will see Rafa Garcia facing Jared Gordon, Kelvin Gastelum taking on Dustin Stoltzfus, Alexander Hernandez squaring off with Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Santiago Luna doing battle with Quang Le.
Though Gastelum weighed in five pounds above the middleweight limit, all fights remain on for Noche UFC 3!
The ceremonial weigh-ins present the last opportunity for opponents to face off before they meet inside the Octagon. Check them out below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel!
The UFC is set to host its third annual Mexican Independence Day celebration, Noche UFC, this Saturday, September 13, live from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. MMA News brings you the official weigh-in results to get fans primed for fight night.
Headlining the action is a featherweight showdown, as former UFC title challenger Diego Lopes goes toe-to-toe with No. 10-ranked contender Jean Silva in a pivotal clash.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, seasoned bantamweight contender Rob Font will square off against late-notice replacement David Martinez. The night will also crown a new star as The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 welterweight finale takes place between Rodrigo Sezinando and Daniil Donchenko.
Before the action kicks off at Noche UFC, fighters will hit the scales Friday morning at the UFC’s host hotel in the “Alamo City”.
Noche UFC Complete Weigh-In Results
Main Card
Featherweight bout: Diego Lopes (146) vs. Jean Silva (145.5)
Bantamweight bout: Rob Font (135) vs. David Martínez (135.5)
Lightweight bout: Rafa García (155.5) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
Middleweight bout: Kelvin Gastelum (191)* vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185.5)
Bantamweight bout: Santiago Luna (136) vs. Quang Le (136)
Preliminary Card
Lightweight bout: Alexander Hernandez (155.5) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (156)
Middleweight bout: José Daniel Medina (186) vs. Duško Todorović (186)
Lightweight bout: Claudio Puelles (156) vs. Joaquim Silva (156)
Strawweight bout: Tatiana Suarez (115.5) vs. Amanda Lemos (116)
Flyweight bout: Jesús Santos Aguilar (126) vs. Luis Gurule (125.5)
Middleweight bout: Zachary Reese (185.5) vs. Sedriques Dumas (186)
Flyweight bout: Alessandro Costa (125.5) vs. Alden Coria (126)
Women’s bantamweight bout: Montserrat Rendon (136) vs. Alice Pereira (136)
TUF 33 welterweight final bout: Rodrigo Sezinando (170.5) vs. Daniil Donchenko (171)
*Kelvin Gastelum weighed in five pounds over the middleweight limit.He will forfeit 35% of his fight purse to his opponent, but the bout will go on as planned.
"Easy money!" 🤠@DiegoLopesMMA hits the scale at 146lbs for our main event!
In the Brazilian’s way of a title crowning was Alexander Volkanovski, a legendary former champ looking to regain his place on the throne following back-to-back knockouts at the hands of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
The bout wasn’t without moments of success for Lopes, however. The 30-year-old scored a knockdown in round two before finishing the fight with a late flurry.
And his pedal to the metal approach to the final minute in Miami is exactly how Muhammad thinks the Brazilian should have fought from the start.
Diego Should’ve fought the whole fight like he did that last minute
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes has vowed to come back stronger after falling short in his first title opportunity.
Having won all five of his subsequent Octagon appearances following a competitive debut defeat to the undefeated Movsar Evloev in 2023, Lopes had his first chance to reach the mountaintop at UFC 314.
Though no doubt disappointed to be leaving Miami without the featherweight gold in his possession, Lopes doesn’t appear too disheartened and is optimistic about what the future holds for him.
“Always with my head held high, a smile on my face,” Diego Lopes wrote on X. “I fell short last night, I failed in a few things. I’ll get back to work, improve, correct the mistakes, and move forward. Thank you all for your support. As I always say, ‘NOTHING HAPPENS.’”
While Lopes looks ahead to his attempt at immediately returning to the winner’s circle, Volkanovski’s second reign is underway. Many have been quick to call for his first defense to come against Evloev later this year.
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 took place tonight from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes faced off for the vacant featherweight title. While in the co-main event, Michael Chandler faced Paddy Pimblett in a lightweight matchup.
UFC 314 Results: Main Card
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46×2)
Lightweight: Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO: R3, 3.07
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Featherweight: Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via submission: R2, 3.52
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
Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez aren’t booked to face each other at UFC 314, yet tensions flared between them in the lead-up to the event.
Lopes is poised to fight former champion Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight title in the headlining bout of UFC’s pay-per-view event this Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Meanwhile, on the undercard, Rodriguez will welcome promotional newcomer Patricio Pitbull in a highly anticipated matchup.
The tension began when a journalist inquired whether Lopes would be open to facing Rodriguez in the future, assuming he defeats Volkanovski. This came after “El Pantera” had earlier voiced his displeasure with Lopes representing Mexico, despite being born in Brazil.
In his response, Lopes sharply reminded the former UFC interim featherweight champion of his consecutive stoppage losses, which led Rodriguez to spring to his feet. The situation escalated as Rodriguez yelled at Lopes, branding him a coward, and stirred up personal grievances involving fighters from both of their gyms.
The fiery exchange raged on, with the fighters exchanging words in Spanish as security intervened, struggling to keep them apart and avoid an all-out brawl on stage. For a brief moment, it seemed like the situation had cooled.
TENSIÓN entre Yair Rodríguez y Diego Lopes #UFC314
Initially, it appeared that the situation had been defused, but as the press conference wrapped up and the fighters prepared for their customary face-offs, Lopes and Rodriguez couldn’t help but continue their verbal sparring, reigniting the animosity once again before facing their respective UFC 314 opponents.
Yair Rodriguez and Diego Lopes continued to go at it after the press conference and had to be held back from one another 😳😳 #UFC314pic.twitter.com/Os1KmwlkAi
This was a stark contrast to the camaraderie Lopes and Rodriguez displayed during the first UFC 314 pre-fight press conference in March, where the two were seen sharing a moment of mutual respect.
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!
Ahead of fight week for the UFC 314 pay-per-view this Saturday, the promotion’s latest Countdown episode has been released.
Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes and the co-main event between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett.
Saturday’s UFC 314 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with former featherweight kingpin Volkanovski (26-4) looking to become a two-time titleholder at 145 pounds.
Before those two collide in the main event at Miami’s Kaseya Center, 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 Chandler (23-9) and Pimblett (22-3). 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.
Good morning, fight fans, here is a rundown of the most significant developments that have unfolded in the past 24 hours. From upcoming title fights to fighter comebacks and event cancellations, there’s plenty happening across the MMA landscape today.
Let’s dive into the top stories today, Thursday, April 3, 2025:
1. Josh Emmett Returns to Headline UFC Vegas 105 This Weekend
After a significant 15-month absence from the octagon, featherweight contender Josh Emmett is making his long-awaited return this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 105. The #8 ranked featherweight will headline against undefeated British prospect Lerone Murphy (#10) in what could potentially position the winner for a title opportunity in the division.
Emmett has reportedly used his time away to focus on personal and professional development, and now feels ready to showcase his best form in this crucial matchup. With the featherweight title currently vacant, this fight carries even more significance as both fighters look to make their case for championship contention.
2. PFL Kicks Off 2025 Season Today with Welterweight and Featherweight Action
The Professional Fighters League launches its 2025 regular season today, April 3rd, featuring a new divisional tournament format for its welterweight and featherweight competitors. Former Bellator champion Jason Jackson faces veteran Andrey Koreshkov in the night’s main event, highlighting the organization’s continued growth as a premier destination for top-tier mixed martial arts talent.
This season opener marks an important step in PFL’s ongoing evolution as a legitimate alternative to the UFC, bringing tournament-style competition back to mainstream MMA.
3. Volkanovski vs. Lopes for Vacant Featherweight Title Set for UFC 314
Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will have his opportunity to reclaim UFC gold when he faces surging contender Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314 on April 12th. The championship was vacated by Ilia Topuria, setting up this highly anticipated showdown to determine the division’s new ruler.
This matchup presents an intriguing stylistic clash between Volkanovski’s technical precision and championship experience against Lopes’ explosive offensive arsenal.
4. Sydney MMA Event Canceled Due to Security Concerns
In a concerning development from Australia, an MMA event scheduled to take place in Sydney has been canceled due to serious security concerns. Reports indicate that fears over a potential “gangland hit” targeting a former UFC fighter contributed to the decision to halt the event.
5. O’Malley Makes Lifestyle Changes Ahead of Dvalishvili Rematch
UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has publicly committed to performing at his “full potential” in his upcoming rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 later this year. The colorful champion has reportedly implemented significant lifestyle changes in preparation, including reducing social media usage and eliminating marijuana consumption to maintain complete focus on defending his title.
After a challenging first encounter with the Georgian contender, O’Malley appears determined to make the necessary adjustments to retain his 135-pound championship.
That wraps up today’s MMA News morning report. Stay tuned for continued coverage of these developing stories and all the latest UFC news as we approach an action-packed weekend of fights.
While the aftermath of the March 8 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight title picture to the featherweight championship conversation.
At UFC 314, set for the Kaseya Center on April 12, former champion Alexander will open his account for the new year. Following Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate the 145-pound gold and move up to lightweight, the Australian will battle the surging Diego Lopes for the belt.
Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as former three-time Bellator kingpin Michael Chandler looks to defend his spot in the pecking order at 155 pounds and reignite his title ambitions. To do so, the American must become the first to beat Paddy Pimblett inside the UFC Octagon.
Silva, Prates, Reyes Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 314
Before Volkanovski, Lopes, Chandler, and Pimblett make the walk, a number of notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 314 card.
Prior to that, another Fighting Nerds product will make the walk in Carlos Prates. He, too, will have the chance to climb a divisional ladder, as he shares the cage with longtime welterweight contender Geoff Neal.
And opening the UFC 314 main card will be former two-time light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes. Having returned to winning ways with consecutive triumphs, “The Devastator” will look to edge closer to the top five at the expense of Nikita Krylov.
Those pairings have currently gotten the nod to feature on the main card over MMA legend Patrício Pitbull, who is slated to top the prelims in his debut fight versus ex-interim UFC featherweight champ Yair Rodríguez.
See below for the full UFC 314 card, as it stands.
Main Card:
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Yair Rodríguez vs. Patrício Pitbull
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson
Women’s Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper
Early Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa
Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
Flyweight: Sumudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo
Featherweight: Alberto Montes vs. Roberto Romero
Middleweight: Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio
Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan
