Conor McGregorās long-awaited return could have looked very different.
While the former two-division champion is now set to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, new details reveal that wasnāt the original plan from his side.
CONOR MCGREGOR vs MAX HOLLOWAY 2 !!!!
Your International Fight Week main event is confirmed!
According to his longtime manager Audie Attar, McGregor had his sights set on settling unfinished business with Michael Chandler.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Attar explained that McGregor pushed hard to make the Chandler fight happen, especially given their history as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 and the previously canceled bout at UFC 303 in June 2024.
āConor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler,ā Attar said. āHe just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it.ā
Despite those efforts, the matchup never materialized ā not because of a lack of interest from McGregorās team, but due to the promotionās direction at the time.
āAt the time, it just didnāt make sense for the UFC,ā Attar added. āBut it doesnāt mean that it might not happen in the futureā¦ It can become a reality.ā
Instead, negotiations shifted toward a different high-profile option, ultimately leading to the Holloway rematch. The two first met back in 2013, with McGregor earning a decision win, and the sequel now offers both familiarity and intrigue.
āLike I said, we pushed for Chandler. That was our main focus initially,ā Attar continued. āDifferent names surfaced in the conversations, and in the negotiationsā¦ from a Max Holloway perspective, we know we got one on Max, and he wants to get that back.ā
The weight class also played a role in shaping the final decision.
āWith the time Conor has been out, it just made sense to do it at 170,ā Attar said. āMax was game right away and willing to step up and take the matchup.ā
For Chandler, the wait for a showdown with “The Notorious” continues, though Attar made it clear the door isnāt closed. Meanwhile, both fighters move forward with separate fights scheduled this summer, leaving fans to wonder if the long-teased clash could still happen down the line.
Three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler might be just one loss away from retirement, according to UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen. The 39-year-old lightweight faces Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House, and Sonnen believes a loss could end Chandler’s fighting career.
Chandler enters the bout on a three-fight losing streak and has dropped five of his last six UFC appearances. Originally hoping to face Conor McGregor to complete their TUF 31 saga, Chandler instead drew the surging knockout artist Ruffy after UFC president Dana White moved on from the McGregor matchup.
Chael Sonnen Predicts Retirement After Potential Loss
In a recent video, Sonnen explained that Chandler still harbors championship ambitions despite his recent struggles. However, at 39 years old with consecutive setbacks that goal appears increasingly unrealistic.
“Chandler will retire if Ruffy beats him. He likely will, and I do not know if it will necessarily be his choice. Chandler is now 38 years old. Chandler is also gainfully employed by Paramount and is going to be part of the announcing team.”
Sonnen continued:
“Chandler’s one of those guys who still wants to be a world champion. So if he gets confronted with that’s just not in your future… He likely would say, ‘Fair enough. Give my spot to somebody else.’”
šØšChael Sonnen says Michael Chandler will likely retire if he loses to Mauricio Ruffy at the White House
"He likely will, and I donāt know that it would necessarily be his choice."
Michael Chandler remains determined to compete at the UFC’s historic White House event on June 14, even if his long-awaited bout with Conor McGregor fails to materialize. Speaking to MMA Junkie at the UFC 324 red carpet in Las Vegas on January 25, the former Bellator lightweight champion made clear his intentions to headline the unprecedented South Lawn card regardless of opponent.
“Obviously, as Dana and they have said, they’re going to start that matchmaking on Monday talking about the White House card,” Chandler explained. “Everybody knows that’s what my sights are set on. Best-case scenario, it’s me and Conor. Worst-case scenario, I’m still fighting at the White House and fighting someone else, and it will be an awesome badass matchup and I will steal the show and I will end up with one of those bonuses.”ā
Michael Chandler Focused on UFC White House Event Despite Conor McGregor Uncertainty
Chandler’s comments come at a critical juncture. UFC president Dana White confirmed that matchmaking for the White House card would begin immediately following UFC 324, where Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision to claim the interim lightweight championship. White has repeatedly stated the goal of assembling “the greatest lineup ever” for the June event, which will take place on Trump’s 80th birthday and Flag Day.ā
The McGregor situation remains complicated. White dismissed the Chandler-McGregor pairing during recent interviews, stating “that’s not the fight we’re going with” and describing the matchup as something from “a couple years ago”.
Despite White’s public dismissal, Chandler remains hopeful. “My reaction is, ‘We will see,’” Chandler told Ariel Helwani recently. “I don’t have a backup plan until Plan A is completely exhausted. That’s where we stand now. I’m preparing my training, diet, and everything else leading up to June. The goal is to fight at the White House against Conor.”ā
The American veteran’s recent form presents challenges. Chandler holds a 23-10 professional record but has dropped five of his last six UFC appearances. Most recently, Paddy Pimblett stopped him via third-round TKO at UFC 314 in April 2025, marking another setback in what has been a difficult UFC tenure. However, Chandler’s aggressive fighting style and penchant for earning post-fight bonuses align perfectly with the UFC’s newly enhanced bonus structure.ā
Starting with UFC 324, the promotion doubled Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000, while introducing a new $25,000 bonus for any fighter who secures a finish via knockout or submission. The changes coincide with the UFC’s seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting deal with Paramount+, which began with UFC 324 and shifts numbered events away from traditional pay-per-view in the United States.
“It’s really cool,” Chandler said of the bonus increases. “I mean obviously you know my resume. You know I’ve had mainly every almost every single one of my fight I’ve gotten a bonus. So I should have a little bit more money in my bank account. I’m happy for that going forward.”ā
The White House event represents unprecedented territory for combat sports. Approximately 5,000 spectators will watch live from the South Lawn, with an additional 85,000 viewing on screens at The Ellipse across the street. Weigh-ins are planned for the Lincoln Memorial, and fighters will walk from the Oval Office to the Octagon. White described the logistical undertaking as “insane,” citing the South Lawn’s uneven slope, strict Secret Service protocols, and intense security requirements.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” White acknowledged about the event. “It’s going to be phenomenal.”ā
Conor McGregor says he’s ready to make his long-awaited UFC return — regardless of who that may be against.
In a recent interview with Complex, UFC CEO and President Dana White said he has no interest in trying to make a fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler happen. Chandler had been on CBS recently promoting a positive sign that the two could face off at UFC White House.
Now, McGregor has taken to social media, seemingly to respond to White’s remarks. And it appears that McGregor is not crying over the spilled milk that would be a fight with Chandler never coming to fruition.
Pick who ya want! The Mac sweats nothin and nobody.
“Pick who ya want!” McGregor posted. “The Mac sweats nothin [sic] and nobody. I’m tasty shots.”
Conor McGregor Open To Any Fight After Dana White Scraps Potential Fight With Michael Chandler
McGregor and Chandler had been rumored to fight for about three years now. This stretches back to when the two were opposing coaches on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023.
Despite no rumblings of a fight in that year, the two were booked to fight in the originally planned UFC 303 main event. Less than a month before the fight, however, McGregor withdrew with a toe injury.
McGregor re-joined the UFC drug testing pool this past summer, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s first revelation of the UFC’s plans for a card at the White House.
The UFC card on the White House lawn is scheduled for Sunday, June 14.
McGregor has not been seen in the Octagon since losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Michael Chandler can hope all he wants, but UFC CEO and President Dana White claims a fight between Chandler and Conor McGregor is dead in the water.
A fight between Chandler and McGregor has been nearly three years in the making now, stretching back to when the pair faced off as opposing coaches on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Chandler recently appeared on CBS as part of the network’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash show to ring in 2026 and promote the UFC’s new partnership with Paramount. As part of his time there, Chandler claimed that things were looking up for a fight with McGregor to finally happen — and happen at the UFC’s card on the White House lawn in June.
In a new interview with Complex, however, White suggested that the fight is no longer possible.
Dana White Says No Shot To Conor McGregor Vs. Michael Chandler At UFC White House
“I mean, that was a couple years ago,” White said. “No.”
Despite promotion that the two would face off at the end of TUF 31, the year 2023 came and went without a hint of a matchup announcement.
Finally, at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference, White announced that the two would face off in the main event of UFC 303. The fight went up in smoke less than a month before the event, however, due to a toe injury suffered by McGregor.
Since then, no fight announcement has been made, and Chandler has gone on to lose to Charles Oliveira and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 309 and UFC 314, respectively.
Since the first announcement of the UFC White House card this past summer, McGregor has publicly advocated to make his UFC return at the event, going as far as to re-join the UFC’s drug testing pool.
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since losing his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Movement Martials is a combat sports account you should follow if you want to learn how to watch combat sports or even improve as an athlete.
Movement Martials is a brand account run by two pseudonyms. “Thick”, the strength and conditioning guru and “Kick”, the fight analyst.
I myself have done multiple podcasts with Kick where we discuss the intricacies of a single matchup.
Kick and I previewed Charles Oliveira’s fight with Ilia Topuria here:
This is an extremely underrated account that provides in depth analysis on combat sports as well as detailed strength and conditioning programs. In an era where rage bait content is generated for clicks, Movement Martials stands out to improve your consumption of combat sports content.
THE PACKAGE
Contained Chaos: Oliveira vs. Chandler Preview
Charles Oliveira is an offensive dynamo. From his kicks to clinch striking to submission game, Oliveira is in possession of every finishing weapon The problem is that he has not always chosen the right weapon for every encounter. Take the finishing sequence of his title loss to Makhachev. Oliveira enters from long to mid-range with a flying knee while Makhachev has all the space in the world behind him to retreat. He catches Makhachev primed to counter while he is still recovering his stance, leading to the knockdown. He has a lovely knee, but this was one of the worst times he could have thrown it, there was nothing to set this up or indicate its utility.
Redemption: How Charles Oliveira Splattered Beneil Dariush
The opponentās lead hand is often in the way of the left hook, and the same is true for the jab that sets up his rear straight. The right high kick can cause significant damage (unlike most open-side right body kicks: no liver) and has a significant impact even through a guard.
The same way Edwards knocked Usman out and the strike Robert Whittaker hits on everyone, the 1-2 is something of a throwaway shot. If something hits, great, but the real object of the rear straight is to get the opponent to anticipate punches and dip out to avoid the strikes. Even better if they try and parry the 2 which lowers their guard. They avoid a flush punch but invite a shin to the dome. Though it is one of the most classic combinations in kickboxing, same-side punch and kick combinations remain a brilliant strategy to play with opponentās expectations.
Preview from Movement Martials Substack
The full article can be found here:
Redemption: How Charles Oliveira Splattered Beneil Dariush by Movement Martials
Collar Ties are emblematic of MMA. A tool utilized for transitional offense, control, and defense: they are versatile. Just a hand upon the neck and a forearm in the opponentās shoulder is integral to controlling the standing grappling of a fight rather than allowing yourself to get man handled by a larger grappler. Fight fans have long heard the story of when Anderson Silva forged his UFC star-making performance by brutalizing Rich Franklin with the double collar tie.
Oliveira employs the concept of pushing and pulling here as well. Oliveira pins Poirer agains the cage and pulls him into a hard knee to then post off the head to create space and throw an elbow in the open space.
Grappling Highlights from UFC 296 With a Dash of Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira was able to do this much more impressively against a slightly less worn version of Tony Ferguson without getting hurt by him in the process. Instead of diving on the single in an all-or-nothing attempt Oliveira cinches up the body lock in order to drive Ferguson to the cage. These moments along the cage give Oliveira time to adjust his grips and shove his knee under Fergusonās shin.
With his body lock tightened and knee holding up Fergusonās leg, he lifts Ferguson up and slams him down. Notably utilizing the body lock rather than single leg puts Oliveira into a more advantageous position while on top.
Preview from Movement Martials Substack
Full article can be found here:
Controlling the Scramble Grappler: UFC 296 by Movement Martials
Grappling Highlights from UFC 296 With a Dash of Charles Oliveira
Make sure you also check out Movement Martials mini trailer of Charles Oliveira’s Improved Wrestling
Movement Martials provides unique technical insights in all his articles. All of his articles have helped me improve my own analytical skills and I am positive that they will do the same for you.
Subscribing to Movement Martials is a step in the right direction to being a knowledgeable combat sports fan. The sport is a lot more enjoyable when you understand what’s going on. You won’t regret it.
To those who have completely wiped away the idea that Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler would ever happen, McGregor is here to say you wrote the demise of that fight too early (supposedly).
McGregor announced his intentions for the previously-scrapped fight to take place at the White House while making an appearance on the Fox & Friends television program.
šØ Conor McGrgeor just confirmed Michael Chandler will be his opponent at the UFC White House event
“I’m on it,” McGregor said. “I am, this is me. Michael Chandler. Michael Chandler and myself have done the show, The Ultimate Fighter. We’ve had a good back-and-forth. He’s a good, tough guy. And ‘The Mac’ is excited to be back, for sure.”
Conor McGregor Says He Will Fight Michael Chandler At UFC White House Card
McGregor and Chandler both coached season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023. But as the year came and went, there was no news on a potential coaches’ fight for these two, despite it being announced at the end of the season.
Finally, at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO and President Dana White confirmed that McGregor and Chandler would serve as the main event for UFC 303 in June 2024. But just weeks before the fight, a planned press conference in Dublin was canceled at the 11th hour, and the fight never came to fruition.
UFC veteran Michael Chandler has said that he still believes he will fight Conor McGregor, potentially at next year’s UFC White House event.
For the longest time, Michael Chandler has been pursuing a showdown with Conor McGregor. While it’s been close to happening on a number of occasions, it’s never quite come to fruition. Now, however, with Dana White suggesting that Conor is serious about returning, it could be back on the table.
Next summer, the UFC plans on heading to the White House for a major event. For Michael Chandler, there’s no better moment for him and the Irishman to finally lock horns.
Michael Chandler wants Conor McGregor at White House
āI think weāre closer now than we ever have been,ā Chandler told MMA Fighting about McGregor actually fighting again. āIāve always said if youāre a betting man, donāt put money on him necessarily coming back but now this changes things a lot.
āIn my heart of hearts, I think Iām fighting Conor McGregor at the White House and that sure does make a ton of sense for a multitude of reasons.ā
āFirst and foremost, I want the White House,ā Chandler said. āIdeally, if it becomes Conor, that would be awesome. We have some unfinished business. Iāve got respect for him, heās got respect for me, but we do have [some] unfinished business. He has expressed interest.
āWhen he put out that meme of me and him, I guess could call it a meme, it was A.I., it was me and him. Heās called me out on Twitter and said we have unfinished business and we do.ā
UFC star Michael Chandler has reiterated his desire to battle Conor McGregor – potentially at the UFC White House event next summer.
We all know the fight that Michael Chandler wants, because it’s the one he’s been calling for over the course of the last few years. It’s also the one that seems to make sense for both men, especially given that it was booked to happen not so long ago before McGregor eventually pulled out. Alas, given what he’s been doing outside of the cage, it doesn’t seem overly likely that it’s going to take place right now.
Next year, though, could be when it finally comes to fruition, given Conor’s interest in fighting at the White House. Michael Chandler, meanwhile, has suffered a string of losses as of late – and yet he’s still seen by many as an interesting contender in the lightweight division.
In a recent interview, Michael Chandler didn’t hold back when discussing the possibility of the fight still happening.
Michael Chandler reiterates desire to fight Conor McGregor
āYeah, could be the president of Ireland, which would be very, very ironic.”
“Everybody knows thatās the fight that I want. I have said publicly thatās the fight that I want, but Iām also the guy whoās not going to wait for that fight. As you can see by me fighting Charles and then Paddy- two fights in five months. Once [Conor] got injured, once he pulled out of the fight, we had to move on. I could have just sat on the sidelines, but I was ready to get back in there and prove to the fans who I am, how I operate, and I want to put on fun, exciting performances.”
July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States declaring independence from Great Britain. That particular date also falls on a Saturday, and while the UFC typically takes off for American Independence Day weekend, could a chance to be involved in Washington D.C.’s events alongside U.S. President Donald Trump cause a one-time change?
It could be if Trump has his way. And perhaps that kind of event would be enough to draw a matchup, once thought to be dead in the water, involving MMA’s biggest star ever back to life.
During an event on Thursday (July 3), Trump, at an event that marked a year-long celebration leading to the U.S.’ semiquincentennial, teased the idea of having a UFC event on the grounds of the White House, the residency of the U.S. President, during next year’s Independence Day events.
“So every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250,” Trump said. “And I even think weāre going to have a UFC fight. “Think of this on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”
According to the Associated Press, a spokesperson from the White House had no official details for such an event. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, claims the U.S. President is “dead serious” about it.
Other logistics would also have to be worked out. The UFC has typically used the last weekend in June or the first or second weekend of July for it’s annual International Fight Week celebrations in Las Vegas.
Trump and UFC President Dana White have enjoyed a long-standing friendship. The Trump Taj Mahal (now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, hosted a pair of UFC events in 2001 as Zuffa, the then-recent new owners of UFC, were getting their feet under them at the same time the UFC was working alongside athletic commissions to get professional MMA sanctioned.
Since his first election to the presidency, Trump has been a key figure at several UFC events, most recently appearing at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, last month.
Could Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Headline A Proposed UFC Event At The White House?
Hours after Trump made the tease, Conor McGregor took to social media, announcing his desire to end his long layoff from the cage to compete in the main event of the White House’s UFC card. McGregor even posted an Instagram message to White, with White saying he “loves” the idea.
Happy 4th of July, USA. šŗšø
Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House.
McGregor has not been seen in the Octagon since losing his UFC 264 trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier due to injury.
Hours after his initial posts, McGregor made another social media post, showing what appears to be an AI-rendered image of him and Michael Chandler facing off in suits on the White House, with President Trump smiling in the background.
Neither Chandler nor the UFC have made an official statement on the White House event, let alone the potential McGregor vs. Chandler could headline such a card.
McGregor and Chandler were initially scheduled to fight after the two coached season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023. As time went on, no fight announcement happened, however, until White announced at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference that McGregor and Chandler would face off at UFC 303 — during 2024’s International Fight Week.
The month of UFC 303, however, a press conference scheduled for Dublin was suddenly canceled at the eleventh hour, and the fight ended up dissolving. The official claim is a toe injury to McGregor, but some have speculated a contract dispute between McGregor and the UFC.
McGregor, also a part-owner of BKFC, has two fights remaining on his current UFC deal, and some have speculated the UFC want McGregor to sign another deal and lock him up.
McGregor, of course, has also dealt with his long list of controversies outside the cage, including a jury’s ruling last November implicating him in the alleged December 2018 sexual assault of a woman, Nikita Hand, in a Dublin hotel. Additionally, a video surfaced weeks ago of McGregor punching a man at a nightclub in Ibiza.
UFC star Michael Chandler believes that former rival Paddy Pimblett has the potential to become a UFC world champion one day.
As we know, back at UFC 314, Paddy Pimblett was able to dominate and finish Michael Chandler in their lightweight encounter. While Chandler has had some great moments inside the cage since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship, this certainly wasn’t one of them.
Paddy Pimblett announced to the world that he had arrived and he did so in style. There are still many doubters out there who want to try and put him down, but ‘The Baddy’ refuses to go quietly into the night.
In a recent interview, Michael Chandler gave his thoughts on Paddy Pimblett’s abilities and his future.
Michael Chandler backs Paddy Pimblett for big things
āDefinitely, possibly. I mean, I think heās better than a lot of us gave him credit for, you know, being in there with him. I wouldnāt say that heās got this crazy amount of skills or this crazy amount of power. Heās crazy good in any direction, but heās not excellent anywhere, but heās good pretty much everywhere.
āHeās got a long body, he uses that range, he uses his kicks really well. You know, whether it was me having a bad night or him having a great night, or that is just who he is, it was tough to kind of get the distance, and by the time I got the distance, took the knee, and then thatās fighting for you. You know, we go out there, we lay it on the line, and sometimes bad things happen.ā
Michael Chandler has been burned many times regarding the booking of a Conor McGregor fight but the former multi-time Bellator MMA champion stilll keeps calling out the Irishman all the same. ‘Iron’ Michael explained some of his logic behind this during an interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. This interview was the first that Chandler has done since his devastating setback against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 and articulated what he wants next.
Michael Chandler Calls Out Conor McGregor
On, Conor McGregor Chandler said:
“It was really funny. I was sitting around with a buddy and we have the same exact anniversary. I looked it upāJanuary 24th is my wife and I’s anniversary, and it just so happens to be a Saturday. So I was like, ‘Let’s throw that out there, let’s speak it into existence.’ The turn of the new year, probably a new TV deal these guys are working on. If that Conor McGregorfight is out there and that needs to happen in January, that makes a lot ofsense.
“I get asked about it almost every single interview, and rightfully soāthe Conor-Chandler thing just stays alive. We were supposed to fight in June, we did The Ultimate Fighter, we have to finish The Ultimate Fighter. If me and Conor McGregorare supposed to fight and he’s supposed to come back, it’s going to happen. I don’t need to force it. If I’m a betting man, I’m not sure if he comes back. Do I want to fight him? Do I want to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31? Absolutely.”
Image: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram
Michael Chandler touches on the Paddy Pimblett setback
Michael Chandler has given his first interview since his loss to the former Cage Warriors champion and is finally shining some light on that performance almost fifty days after the loss. In the same interview with MMA Junkie, Chandler spoke about how he felt like like he couldn’t get his rhythm or his range when fighting the surging UK star in their Miami matchup. Michael Chandler mentioned that when he finally started somewhat settling into things a bit more, he ate that emphatic knee to the face from Paddy Pimblett and felt like it was the end of it when he was taken down thereafter.
It will be interesting to see the next move for Chandler who aims to rebound from setbacks to Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier. Chandler mentioned he wants to take the Summer off and seems to prefer to map out a return bout for later on in the year.
UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett has only positive things to say about Michael Chandler following their fight in Miami earlier this month.
Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his Octagon career to date atĀ the UFC 314 pay-per-view on April 12, which he co-headlined inside Miamiās Kaseya Center.
To keep his undefeated UFC record intact and further climb the ladder toward title contention, āThe Baddyā was tasked with adding to the woes of a Chandler who entered the event without a win since 2022.
“It was an absolute pleasure to share the cage with such a legend of the sport inĀ @mikechandlermma,” Pimblett wrote. “Nothing but respect for him before the fight and even more after we fought”
Grant Dawson is doubling down on his critical assessment of Michael Chandler’s position within the UFC lightweight rankings.
Following Chandler’s recent third-round TKO loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 in Miami, Dawson has reiterated his long-held belief that Chandler is undeserving of his top-15 ranking.
Dawson has been vocal about Chandler’s ranking for an extended period. His stance only solidified after Chandler’s latest defeat, which marks his third consecutive loss and his fifth loss in his last six outings. This leaves his UFC record at 2-5.
“I’ve been calling out Chandler for years,” Dawson told MMA Junkie. “I’ve always thought Chandler was undeserving of being in the top 15. He’s now 2-5, I believe, in the UFC. All good guys for sure, but we’re all fighting good guys. If Michael Chandler’s next fight is a big name, not an up-and-comer, I think the UFC is doing a disservice.” Dawson argues that rewarding a fighter with Chandler’s recent record with another high-profile matchup against a rising contender would be unfair to those consistently climbing the ranks.
Furthermore, Dawson admitted that Pimblett’s performance against Chandler significantly exceeded his expectations. Despite predicting a Pimblett victory, Dawson was surprised by the dominant nature of the finish.
“I thought he looked great. I thought he looked much improved,” Dawson said of Pimblett’s performance. “I, from Day 1, was picking Paddy to beat Michael Chandler, and I didn’t think he would do it like that. I thought Michael Chandler was going to be winning the entire fight and then do something Michael Chandler does and find a way to lose. But, no, he got his butt kicked the entire time. Paddy is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I’m interested to see who they match him up with next.”
After breaking his silence earlier this week, UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has released a lengthier statement addressing his latest crushing loss.
Chandlerās struggles inside the Octagon continuedĀ at last Saturday’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, which he co-headlined opposite the rising Paddy Pimblett inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.
The former three-time Bellator champion was soundly defeated en route to a TKO stoppage in round three. The result has left “Iron Mike” without a victory in three years since 2022 and with a less than ideal 2-5 record in the UFC.
With that in mind, the 38-year-old is unsurprisingly licking his wounds after another tough night at the office. And after a brief statement Monday, Chandler issued some more detailed thoughts on the setback on Instagram Wednesday.
“There are really no words to describe the pain and disappointment you feelā¦you just live in itā¦let it take its lot and leave you with what is left. From there you rebuild.
“The best you can do is move forward with confident expectancy and pride in the attempt. One thing is certain, I can rest in knowing that I prepared the best I could and I alone was responsible for my shortcomings in that octagon. My team prepared me. The UFC gave me the opportunity. I stepped into the ultimate proving grounds, ready.
“Bested, but never beaten. Never out of the fight. Still in pursuit.
“And this picture sums up how I feel and what truly matters. Bruised, bloodied and heartbroken, yet I have my soulmate by my side and 3 little hands to hold.
Chandler had hoped to insert his name back into the championship conversation at 155 pounds months on from a defeat to Charles Oliveira that left him 2-4 in the UFC.
Unfortunately for the ex-Bellator kingpin, Pimblett proved to be a hurdle too tall. The American was soundly beaten en route to a TKO stoppage in round three.
Now, days later, Chandler has addressed the brutal setback on social media, commenting on an image posted by his wife in the aftermath of his latest defeat on MMA’s biggest stage.
Never out of the fight. This picture sums it all up. As long as Iāve got these heartbeats and hands to hold, Iāve already won. pic.twitter.com/q7F1gB4KhD
“Never out of the fight,” Michael Chandler wrote. “This picture sums it all up. As long as Iāve got these heartbeats and hands to hold, Iāve already won.”
It remains to be seen what comes next for the 38-year-old, who is now winless since a 2022 knockout of Tony Ferguson.
“Iron Mike” was badly beaten en route to a TKO stoppage in round three. The result has ensured he’s remained winless since 2022 and pushed the former Bellator champion’s UFC record to a disappointing 2-5.
During his appearance at the post-fight press conference, White reacted to Chandler’s latest setback. The UFC chief insisted that regardless of the result, Chandler is in nothing but great fights.
“(Chandler’s) always in the fight,” White said. “Tonight was a big night for Paddy Pimblett. people have been doubting Paddy Pimblett every single fight he fights in. He’s undefeated in the UFC.
“Every time that guy (Chandler) goes in, you know you’re in for a good fight, you know it’s going to be a war, and you don’t know if he’s going to win or lose,” White added.
Michael Chandler will no doubt hope that he can put on a good fight while also having his hand raised when he returns to the cage.
A return date remains up in the air for the former title challenger, who appeared to sustain significant damage at the hands of Pimblett and swiftly returned to the backstage area before the result was read out at UFC 314.
UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano has acknowledged the impressive nature of longtime rival Paddy Pimblett’s latest triumph inside the cage.
Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his Octagon career to date at this past weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, which he co-headlined inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.
To keep his undefeated UFC record intact and further climb the ladder toward title contention, “The Baddy” was tasked with adding to the woes of a Michael Chandler who entered the event without a win since 2022.
The ex-Cage Warriors champion has been collecting plenty of plaudits in the aftermath of his performance in “The Magic City,” and that includes from one man whom he’s frequently gone back and forth with.
Paddy pimblett 2024: EASY MONEY ā Paddy pimblett 2025: NOT SO EASY ā
UFC 314 took place tonight from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!Ā
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.Ā
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
Pimblett, as he has previously, started his attack with a leg-kick focus. Chandler landed a long jab before Pimblett tried to get his own striking going — only for Chandler to grab and score a takedown. Pimblett looked to stand and grab a kimura, but Chandler brought him back down briefly — also landing a couple of strong strikes to Pimblett’s head. Pimblett jumped for a triangle, and despite it failing, brought the fight back to the feet seconds later.
Pimblett got off to a strong start in the second round, keeping his distance and working combinations on Chandler. Chandler scored another pair of takedowns about two minutes into the round, but Pimblett was almost immediately back to his feet both times. Pimblett landed a series of elbows, but Chandler looked to answer by getting to Pimblett’s back. He rode too high, however, and Pimblett reversed the position.
Paddy Pimblett Makes Statement At UFC 314, Stops Michael Chandler
Pimblett threatened an arm-triangle choke before getting to Chandler’s back. Pimblett rained down elbows as Chandler tried to escape before Chandler gave his back up again. Pimblett rained down blows with a body triangle locked around Chandler as the second round ended.
Pimblett busted open Chandler and rocked him with a jumping knee early in the third, looking to finish the fight with a flurry before quickly returning the fight to the mat. After a couple of minutes of control, Pimblett’s ground-and-pound proved to be too much, forcing a referee stoppage in the middle of round three.
Since jumping to the UFC from Cage Warriors in 2021, Pimblett is a perfect 7-0 in the UFC.
Chandler, meanwhile, has lost three straight and five of six. His sole win in this span was his UFC 274 knockout of Tony Ferguson.
Topping the lineup will be former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who is tasked with getting the better of Diego Lopes if heās 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 ofĀ 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)
Speaking to reporters during media day, Pimblett didn’t mince words regarding Chandler’s fighting tactics, explicitly citing the eye poke in his fight against Tony Ferguson.
āHeās the nicest man in the world outside the cage. And when he gets in there, heās a dirty bastard, isnāt he?ā Paddy Pimblett said. āBut I always say if youāre not cheating, youāre not trying. So I understand what heās trying to do, he wants to win, and thatās the main thing when it comes to this game.ā
Pimblett mentioned his jiu-jitsu and cardio, envisioning a scenario where he takes Chandler into the deeper rounds and secures a finish. He dismissed Chandler’s belief of being a “different animal” at welterweight, reminding him that their bout is contracted at lightweight.
Despite Chandler’s experience against elite competition, Pimblett remains unfazed, viewing this matchup as his platform to demonstrate his own top-tier credentials.
āAs I said, Chandlerās a real nice fellow outside the Octagon,ā Pimblett added. āIāve bumped into him yesterday and had a chat with him. But in there, heās a very, very dirty man.ā
Saturdayās UFC 314 lineup is topped by a championship clash,Ā 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 314ās title bout will be a key lightweight contest between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. While āIronā 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 SaturdayāsĀ UFC 314Ā 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, itās time for the teamās predictions for UFC 314.
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano:Ā Nikita Krylov hasnāt been seen in the Octagon in two years now, and itās a long-awaited return at UFC 314 for a guy whoās 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.
Iāll 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 ā while not having competed for some time ā is a strong finisher and has the true momentum between these two. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Ryan Jarrell:Ā 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 wonāt be placing any bets on this one, but Iām leaning Reyes to get his hand raised. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Pranav Pandey:Ā Iāll be honest, this isnāt 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:Ā This is a tough one to pick! The Reyes that showed up against Jon Jones shouldāve 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, Iām backing him to continue his much-needed winning streak at UFC 314. Reyesā chin and openness to body kicks are his biggest weaknesses, and I donāt think Krylov has the style to exploit any of these. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Consensus:Ā 2-2
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Images: UFC.com & Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC
Thomas Albano:Ā As Iāve said in previous predictions pieces, if thereās one gym that is to watch for in 2025, itās 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.
āThug Nastyā 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 Iāve seen watching the UFC. Mitchellās grappling is great, but that wonāt 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:Ā 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:Ā This oneās got some heat behind it, and Iām genuinely looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. On the feet, I donāt think Mitchell has much to offer against Silvaās striking. If this stays standing, “Lord” could pick him apart with ease. That said, Mitchellās grappling-heavy approach is a real threat. If heās 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 Mitchellās 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:Ā Mitchellās 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 hasnāt 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.
Silvaās walking into the bout as a huge favorite, but I donāt think heāll fire through āThug Nastyā that easily. In fact, on paper, Mitchell has more tools to emerge victorious at UFC 314, and Iām expecting him to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Bryce Mitchell)
Consensus:Ā 3-1 Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Images: UFC.com & Bellator MMA
Thomas Albano:Ā 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 heās still one of the best in the world.
And then you have Yair Rodriguez. His wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett ā as well as his gutty performance against Max Holloway ā 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 heāll 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:Ā MMA fans have always speculated how Pitbull would do against the elite the UFC has to offer. Itās 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:Ā 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:Ā Pitbull claimed that he wouldāve retired if he hadnāt 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. Pitbullās age is one of my first concerns, and I just see quite a many tools in Rodriguezās arsenal to finish this fight. Heās just 32, which is why I am favoring him to win despite coming off consecutive losses to Volkanovski and Ortega as well.
Pitbullās 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:Ā 2-2
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano:Ā Michael Chandler couldnāt score the mega fight with Conor McGregor heās 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 ā namely aĀ finishĀ in this fight ā would mean everything for his hype value. That being said, heās 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 Chandlerās chin can hold up against a younger and speedier Pimblett ā or if Pimblettās weak striking defense hasnāt improved and Chandler lands a cracking shot. Pimblett has recently put out a big prediction that heāll need just two rounds to finish Chandler, who has lost four of his last five fights. And itās not out of the realm of possibility. (Prediction: Paddy Pimblett)
Ryan Jarrell:Ā 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. Chandlerās 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:Ā 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 āIronā will likely do everything he can to keep it standing ā where heās most dangerous. āThe Baddyā is a real wildcard here. He’s unorthodox and can create problems if he finds the right position on the ground ā or even on the feet. That said, for all the criticism Chandler receives, particularly regarding his recklessness and questionable fight IQ, heās 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, heāll likely close the show. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Aakrit Sharma:Ā 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. āIronā 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 couldnāt submit Chandler despite almost always having his back for 20 minutes. This is as impressive as it gets, and Iām not expecting Pimblett to surprise the veteran in any way on the ground.
On the feet, again, Chandler has a titanium chin, and Pimblett hasnāt 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, Iām picking Chandler to hand Pimblett his first UFC loss. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Consensus:Ā 3-1 Michael Chandler
UFC Featherweight Title: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Thomas Albano:Ā 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 Volkanovskiās 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 hasnāt gone five rounds before and heās taking on a way-more experienced Volkanovski. Having said that, Iām getting this strange suspicion that youth will win out over experience here. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Ryan Jarrell:Ā 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 didnāt allow himself to fully recover from his KO loss to Makhachev. Now that heās had a year off from active competition, I think we will see a vintage performance from the former champ and he will prove heās still on that championship level. Lopes is legit and he very well may claim the title down the line. I just donāt see it happening here. Give me Volkanovski to win via decision. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Pranav Pandey:Ā 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 āThe Greatā given everything heās accomplished and the kind of fighter he is, I canāt 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 isnāt unfamiliar territory for Volkanovski.
Back-to-back losses might suggest a decline, but with “The Great,” itās 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, heās 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 thatās where Lopes starts to fade. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Aakrit Sharma:Ā 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 heās not at all ready to face the former UFC featherweight champ. However, again, age is a primary concern here, and Iām skeptical about Volkanovskiās 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:Ā 2-2
Thatāll 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!
A former UFC welterweight title challenger and longtime teammate of Michael Chandler’s has outlined the American’s key to victory over Paddy Pimblett this weekend.
Following another loss at the hands of Oliveira last November, which has left him 2-4 in the UFC, Chandlerās opening contest of this year will be an important one.
During episode two of the UFC 314 Embedded: Vlog Series, Chandler can be seen training in a session led by fellow Kill Cliff FC standout Gilbert Burns.
“Durinho” briefly addressed the camera, advising his man against grappling Pimblett, whom he shared the mats with during a trip to Manchester, England last year.
“Michael’s ready,” Burns said. “He’s facing a guy who’s very tough. I had the honour to grapple with Paddy when I was in Manchester. The guy has high-level grappling skills.
“The key to Michael is keep the fight on the feet. If he has to grapple, has to take this guy down, take him down and ground-and-pound. We don’t want to grapple the grappler,” Burns added.
Speaking on his Good Guy/Bad Guy show with Chael Sonnen, Cormier argued that while Chandler’s UFC losses have been to top-tier opponents, a defeat against Paddy Pimblett would be a significant setback.
“You cannot lose to the next generation guy,” Cormier stated.
Cormier highlighted Chandler’s history in the UFC, noting his two wins and four losses against fighters like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. He believes that another loss to a rising star like Pimblett would change the narrative surrounding Chandler’s career.
With that, “DC” thinks Chandler has more pressure on him in Miami than Volkanovski, who is coming off two consecutive knockout losses.
āI asked you earlier if the most pressure was on Volk, itās not, and I said I believe Chandler has more pressure,ā Cormier said. āYou want me to tell you why? Michael Chandler has found himself in a very, very hard-to-reach bit of company. Heās that guy that, win or lose, nothing really affects him, right? If he wins, people go, āWow, thatās amazing.āĀ Knocked out Dan Hooker,Ā kicked Tony Ferguson in the face. If he loses ā man, him and Charles Oliveira, he had him. It was this close, about to become the champion,Ā Charles got him.
āEh, not that big of a deal. Him and Dustin Poirier, he loses. āOh, that was a great fight,ā but Dustin got the job done, submitted him. He fought Justin Gaethje, that was a tremendous fight, but Gaethje won. Charles Oliveira, he stood up with him and slammed him backwards. What Iām getting at, Chael, is Michael Chandler has fought in the UFC six times. Heās won twice. If he loses again, now youāre not losing to Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira. Youāre losing to the next generation. You cannot lose to the next generation guy.ā
Dustin Poirier will be an analyst at UFC 314, adding another layer to the event, given his past rivalry with Chandler.
