Covington questioned the caliber of Pimblett’s UFC opponents, while the Scouser fired back by highlighting the American’s recent string of losses.
Pimblett dismissed Covington as “irrelevant” during an interview with ESPN. “Chaos,” never one to back down from a verbal sparring match, responded through his YouTube channel, offering a scathing assessment of “The Baddy” and his recent competition.
“Paddy wanted to say some sh*t when I was walking by, so I had to confront him. I had to let him know he’s a little bItch boy. The combined losing streak of his last three opponents, look it up, guys, it’s 13 losses in a row. He wants to act like he’s relevant and he’s a star, he’s a f*cking nobody, bro. You’re a nobody. You’ve never headlined an event. You’ve never done anything worthy. You’ve never been a top contender. You’re a f*cking scrub. The only reason people f*cking care about you is because you’re an Ellen Degeneres-looking f*cking scrub and, to be honest, it’s because you’ve got a bowl cut and an English accent, that’s the only reason people want to look at you.”
Covington’s animosity toward Pimblett is evident. Now, he has issued a challenge to the rising star.
“Paddy Pimblett’s a little b*tch. He needs to stop running my name through his mouth to stay relevant. Because he’s just using me to stay relevant because he’s never accomplished anything. He’s never going to get to a title fight. He’s never going to win a title, period. He’s a f*cking irrelevant bum. So when he stops cutting all that weight and cutting chromosomes and he wants to come to a real man’s weight class, and fight a real man, he can get his ass whooped. So he needs to keep my name out of his mouth, otherwise he’s going to end up with my foot in his ass and that’s a fact.”
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 ✅ Paddy pimblett 2025: NOT SO EASY ❌
A feud is developing between UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett and welterweight Colby Covington.
Following his co-main event victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami, Pimblett was unexpectedly confronted by Covington.
Covington criticized the caliber of Pimblett’s opponents, while Pimblett retorted by highlighting Covington’s recent losing streak.
Pimblett later detailed the exchange on ESPN’s post-event show, referring to Covington as a “little maggot” who “only does something when there’s a camera about.”
Paddy Pimblett recounted a prior interaction at Power Slap where Covington allegedly avoided eye contact. In their latest meeting, Pimblett stated he told Covington, “‘Lad, I’ll come and slap you, but you’ll go and ring the police on me like you did with Masvidal, you little grass [snitch].’”
This alludes to Covington’s past altercation with Jorge Masvidal, who attacked him outside a restaurant, leading to Masvidal’s arrest and a misdemeanor battery plea.
Pimblett is firmly focused on a lightweight title opportunity and dismissed Covington during his post-fight press conference.
“He can eat sh*t. He pays supermodels to stand with him, the f*cking bum. He’s a nobody. He’s on a three-fight losing streak or something, he’s irrelevant. He’s trying to use me now to stay relevant because he’s a nobody, he’s a bum. I’d beat Colby Covington for a laugh, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry than that little mushroom.”
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
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 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)
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.
“He’s the nicest man in the world outside the cage. And when he gets in there, he’s a dirty bastard, isn’t he?” Paddy Pimblett said. “But I always say if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. So I understand what he’s trying to do, he wants to win, and that’s the main thing when it comes to this game.”
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.
“As I said, Chandler’s a real nice fellow outside the Octagon,” Pimblett added. “I’ve bumped into him yesterday and had a chat with him. But in there, he’s a very, very dirty man.”
In a video that has garnered over 13 million views since its uploaded two years ago, UFC star Paddy Pimblett showcased his impressive grappling skills by submitting 10 US Marines consecutively at Camp Pendleton.
During his visit to the USMC Martial Arts Program, Pimblett shared his jiu-jitsu knowledge and took part in a grueling grappling contest.
The video captures Pimblett undergoing intense combat conditioning with the Marines before demonstrating his expertise on the mat. He faced 10 Marines one by one, forcing each to tap out. Despite the Marines’ fitness and strength, Pimblett’s skill proved dominant, securing a perfect 10-0 record.
While he admitted to being exhausted after the challenge, he joked about his unusual physique and grappling skills. Pimblett has continued his success in the Octagon, securing three UFC victories since the video was made.
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!
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, Chandler’s 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.
UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan didn’t take too kindly to some comments out of Paddy Pimblett.
As he gears up for a crucial showdown with Michael Chandler in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, Pimblett recently had a different top-10 contender at 155 pounds on his mind.
Tsarukyan responded on X, criticizing the Liverpudlian for a supposed ‘easy’ path up the ladder on MMA’s biggest stage. He also ‘dared’ Pimblett to call him out if he emerges victorious this Saturday night in Miami.
says the guy who got the easiest path to the top in ufc just because he’s got a funny accent and budget beatles haircut. I dare you to call me out if you win and we will see who will shit his pants in the octagon when we meet clown @PaddyTheBaddyhttps://t.co/TKbm1hn5X2
“Says the guy who got the easiest path to the top in ufc just because he’s got a funny accent and budget beatles haircut,” Tsarukyan wrote. “I dare you to call me out if you win and we will see who will shit his pants in the octagon when we meet clown @PaddyTheBaddy“
Tsarukyan has faced slack from more than one of his peers this year. Dan Hooker also jibed at the top contender for his last-second withdrawal from a title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this past January.
Demetrious Johnson believes Paddy Pimblett has the potential to become a UFC champion.
“Mighty Mouse,” a legendary former titleholder on MMA’s biggest stage, has been watching Pimblett’s old fights from Cage Warriors and is extremely impressed by what he’s seen.
In a new YouTube video, Johnson shared his take on Pimblett’s personality and all the stuff he does outside the cage, suggesting it hides how good he is at fighting. He also sees him being a champion one day.
“This is why he’s so good,” Johnson said of Paddy Pimblett. “I think one day he will be a champion. If he doesn’t become champion, it’ll be like one of the guys who were really good and never became champion, like a Urijah Faber or Joseph Benavidez. He does everything right, in this fight, in this time of his career, and when he fought Bobby Green.”
“Paddy can grapple, he can strike, he can do it all,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be an interesting fight when he takes on Michael Chandler because Michael Chandler is just a big ball of energy that goes from 0-2000(mph), and I know Paddy’s going to meet that once he gets rocked.”
Johnson believes that even against a powerful striker like Michael Chandler at UFC 314 this weekend, Paddy Pimblett will utilize his jiu-jitsu to try and win on the ground.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley says Michael Chandler will be coming up against a “beast” when he shares the Octagon with Paddy Pimblett.
The two ranked lightweights are set to do battle in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, slated for the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
While Pimblett looks to extend his perfect UFC run en route to a further climb up the ladder at 155 pounds, Chandler plans on reviving his championship ambitions after Charles Oliveira sent him to a 2-4 UFC record last November.
During a recent episode of his TimboSugarShow alongside coach Tim Welch, O’Malley outlined his thoughts on Saturday’s co-headliner. “Sugar” had positive words for both men but laid particularly heavy praise on Paddy Pimblett.
“Paddy vs. Michael Chandler is such an interesting fight,” O’Malley said. “Michael Chandler is such a gangster for taking that fight. If he beats Paddy, that’s still a big win — if. Maybe not in some people’s eyes, but Paddy is f**king skilled. What he did to Bobby Green was super (impressive).
“It’s a big fight. Michael Chandler is a beast for taking that fight, Paddy’s a beast. I mean, Paddy, what he wants to do is climb the rankings. I think that fight makes so much sense,” O’Malley continued. “I don’t know who wins either. I feel like it’s gonna be very competitive.”
When fans last Saw Pimblett in action, he ran through King Green in quick time at UFC 304 last July. And having choked the veteran unconscious, “The Baddy” enters his first outing of 2025 ranked #12 in the lightweight division.
Michael Chandler has acknowledged one flaw in Paddy Pimblett’s game that could be exploited when they collide at UFC 314.
Chandler and Pimblett are set to co-headline this weekend’s pay-per-view in Miami, setting the stage for the vacant featherweight title clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
For the ex-Bellator champion, the assignment marks an important one in the context of his UFC career after he fell to a 2-4 record in the Octagon courtesy of a second defeat to Charles Oliveira last November.
And as he gears up for an attempt to become the first to beat Pimblett in the promotion, Chandler has seemingly identified one area in which he could get the better of “The Baddy.”
During a recent Q&A session on X, “Iron” acknowledged the suggestion from a fan that Pimblett “leaves his chin in the air.”
Both of Chandler’s UFC wins to date came by way of knockout. After finishing Dan Hooker with strikes seconds into his debut, the 38-year-old later starched Tony Ferguson with a brutal head kick.
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.
Should anything happen to either Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett, one top lightweight says he’s first in line to fill in at UFC 314.
Chandler and Pimblett are on a collision course for Miami, with the pair set to headline next weekend’s pay-per-view event inside the Kaseya Center. They’re tasked with setting the stage for a featherweight championship clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
While the bout is highly anticipated given the potential connotations for the high-ranked veteran and the rising, charismatic prospect, fans know better than to assume both men will make it to the cage.
Should something happen that sees Chandler vs. Pimblett follow suit, the promotion seemingly has contingency plans in place.
Adrian Szymański recently shared a report from Polish outlet Super Express on X, which revealed comments from Mateusz Gamrot regarding a potential backup role for the UFC 314 co-main event.
Mateusz Gamrot zdradził, że otrzymał zapewnienie od UFC, że jest pierwszym zastępstwem w przypadku wypadnięcia Michaela Chandlera lub Paddy'ego Pimbletta z walki na UFC 314 w Miami. #UFC314 (@se_pl) pic.twitter.com/jARzV9YWNI
“Mateusz Gamrot revealed that he received an assurance from the UFC that he would be the first replacement in case Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett were to drop out of the fight at UFC 314 in Miami,” the post reads, translated from Polish.
Gamrot recently attempted to secure a short-notice opportunity to impress following Dan Hooker’s withdrawal from UFC 313. The vacant spot opposite Justin Gaethje ultimately went the way of Rafael Fiziev instead.
“Gamer” hasn’t competed since his showdown with Hooker in Australia last August, which he narrowly lost via split decision.
A usually laid back lightweight contender had a surprisingly hostile take on Paddy Pimblett’s reaction to Molly McCann’s defeat and subsequent retirement this weekend.
While he wasn’t in action, Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in London proved to be an emotionally difficult night for Pimblett, who saw two of his teammates fall to defeat inside The O2.
After Nathan Fletcher fell on the wrong side of a close decision in his second Octagon appearance opposite Caolan Loughran, it was the turn of Molly McCann. The Scouse strawweight has had her fair share of positive memories in England’s capital, but the March 22 bout didn’t go her way.
“Meatball” was submitted inside the first round by late-notice replacement opponent Alexia Thainara, who needed just four and a half minutes to find the submission victory in her UFC debut. McCann went on to announce her retirement.
Footage of a tearful Paddy Pimblett was captured cageside as he reacted to the conclusion of his longtime friend’s career in mixed martial arts. One prominent name in his division, however, evidently didn’t care for the moment.
Mateusz Gamrot dished out a rare piece of trash talk on X, branding his 155-pound peer a “pussy” and vowing to make him cry again inside the cage down the line.
Gamrot, meanwhile, remains without a date in the calendar for his next fight. “Gamer” most recently suffered a split decision setback against Dan Hooker in Australia last September.
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler expects his performance in Miami next month to be so impressive that it nets him another shot at the division’s title soon after.
After a second loss to Charles Oliveira left him 2-4 under the UFC banner, 2025 will mark a crucial year for Chandler and his ongoing championship ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage.
And more than just defending his #7 ranking in the fight, “Iron” is looking to stake his claim for a showdown with the lightweight king.
During a recent interview with Covers.com, Michael Chandler suggested it’s not far-fetched that an emphatic display opposite Pimblett next month could see him quickly placed opposite Makhachev for a summer showdown.
“There’s a world in which I go out there and emphatically starch Paddy Pimblett. And it’s the ‘what have you done for me lately business’,” Chandler said. “And all of a sudden, Islam wants to fight me and not someone else, and I fight him in June. Who knows? But with that being said, all of those names are on the table. Conor’s name was talked about. If Conor comes back this year I’m fighting him.
“I am open to fighting Islam in June. The way this fight plays out, I think I’ll have less than a 60 day suspension, maybe a 30 day suspension, and I could fight again in June because the fight would be June 29, I believe it is,” Chandler continued. “So that’s like, 10 weeks later, so I could jump right back into a training camp and fight for the world title.”
Makhachev is currently coming off his third defense of the lightweight crown, having submitted late-notice replacement opponent Renato Moicano at UFC 311 this past January.
With Arman Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from that event costing him a title shot and talk of the Dagestani wanting Ilia Topuria to fight a contender before earning an opportunity at two-division glory, perhaps the door could be open for Chandler to make an impression.
During a recent interview with Oddspedia, Charles Oliveira gave his take on the bout, assessing his ex-opponent’s chances against the polarizing Liverpudlian.
“Michael Chandler is a very aggressive and explosive guy. I have nothing but respect for him, he has power in his hands,” Oliveira said. “On the other side, you have a younger guy that believes in himself, moves very well and has really good jiu-jitsu and also a good stand-up game. He moves well, but experience counts for a lot.
“In the first two rounds, Chandler has a chance to knock him out because of how explosive he is,” Oliveira continued. “But if the fight goes into the third round, I believe it’s going to be hard for Chandler because Paddy is younger and he’s very talented.”
Pimblett has gone to the scorecards twice in his UFC career thus far, securing a controversial decision over Jared Gordon and a more convincing one opposite Tony Ferguson.
UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett doesn’t like the idea of Ilia Topuria being granted an immediate title shot at 155 pounds.
Topuria has set his sights on achieving two-division glory after choosing to vacate the featherweight gold this year following just one defense. “El Matador” went 2-0 in 2024, dethroning Alexander Volkanovski before becoming the first to knock out Max Holloway.
Due to an apparent struggle to make the 145-pound weight limit, the Spaniard will move forward as a permanent figure in the lightweight division. And given his success below, Topuria has seemingly been expecting a showdown with Islam Makhachev straight away.
During a recent interview with Jon Anik for ESPN MMA, Paddy Pimblett rejected that as a logical next fight for the champion. “The Baddy,” who has long had a rivalry with Topuria, insisted that current top contender Arman Tsarukyan is far more deserving of the opportunity.
“I felt a bit bad for him (Tsarukyan) when Dana said, ‘No, he’s not next. He’s going to have to go back to the drawing board.’ I was like, wow, shots fired,” Pimblett said. “I think personally, Arman still deserves the next title shot. Islam’s already beat Charles (Oliveira), beat (Dustin) Poirier.
“I think the only person right for him to fight is Arman,” Pimblett continued. “Arman deserves that title shot more than ‘Hand Sanitizer Boy’ (Topuria) does.”
Tsarukyan entered the year with a title shot in the bank, but a last-second withdrawal from UFC 311 left the promotion bumping him down the pecking order.
Paddy Pimblett can’t even fathom why Dustin Poirier has announced his plans to retire.
Poirier has been weighing the idea of retirement for a while, and now, after falling short in his third attempt at undisputed lightweight gold against reigning champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 last June, he seems fully committed to calling it a career.
The former UFC interim lightweight champion has shut down any possibility of facing rising contender Pimblett in his farewell fight, declaring that only a fellow “legend” is worthy of his final showdown.
“The Baddy” is now set for a high-stakes showdown against former title challenger Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 on April 12, taking place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
During a recent conversation with ESPN Deportes, Paddy Pimblett insisted that Dustin Poirier still has plenty left in the tank and shouldn’t even be considering retirement. Moreover, he’s confident that if they ever shared the Octagon, he’d have the upper hand.
“He said something about me the other day didn’t he? Saying it’s legends only and he thinks Chandler will beat me,” Pimblett said. “I think he should have more than one fight (before he retires). He looked good in his last fight. I don’t understand why you’d retire when you look good, but you know, he must be an idiot. I think I beat Dustin Poirier so, I’d love to fight him.”
Poirier and Holloway first met inside the Octagon at UFC 143 in February 2012, where the Louisiana native secured a first-round submission victory in their featherweight clash.
Their paths crossed once again at UFC 236 in April 2019, this time with interim lightweight gold on the line. Poirier secured the victory by unanimous decision.
Fresh off back-to-back knockout victories, his move has captivated fans and pundits, setting the stage for dream matchups and a dramatic shift in the division. While this transition presents a challenge for UFC matchmakers, it’s exactly the kind of shake-up that fuels the sport’s excitement.
However, not everyone is sold on the move. Paddy Pimblett, one of the lightweight division’s most outspoken rising stars, has emerged as a vocal skeptic.
Since Dana White announced Topuria’s title relinquishment, Pimblett has questioned the motivations behind it, even suggesting the UFC may have pressured the Spaniard into vacating rather than supporting his bid for champ-champ status.
Beyond the circumstances of the switch, “The Baddy” is unconvinced that “El Matador” can thrive at 155 pounds. He argues that the former featherweight king lacks the size and physicality to compete with the division’s elite, predicting struggles against bigger, stronger lightweights.
His sharpest criticism, however, comes in his assessment of a potential showdown with lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. Pimblett sees a one-sided affair, envisioning Makhachev effortlessly imposing his grappling and finishing Topuria with ease.
“Volk had only just recovered from getting head-kicked 12 weeks earlier and getting knocked clean out by Islam,” Pimblett said during a recent interview on 560 WQAM . “I think if (Topuria) fought Volk again, it’d be a different fight. I think he half ran away from Volk. But you can’t really say that because he knocked him out with one punch last year. Still, I think (Topuria) knew Volk was gonna give him a run for his money.”
While Topuria’s lightweight ambitions have injected new intrigue into the division, Pimblett’s doubts highlight the risks of the move.
Whether the Spaniard proves his skeptics wrong or struggles against the division’s best remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — the UFC’s lightweight division just got a lot more interesting.
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has his first assignment of 2025 in the calendar, and it unsurprisingly won’t see the promotion revisiting plans for him to face Conor McGregor.
After waiting a considerable time for a showdown with the Irishman, Chandler finally moved on by rematching Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 last November.
A second defeat to “Do Bronx” has left the former Bellator champion with a 2-4 record under the UFC banner and outside the championship conversation at 155 pounds.
He’ll look to rectify that in 2025, starting with a five-round co-main event opposite one of the division’s most prominent rising names in Paddy Pimblett.
Fans were quick to give their thoughts on the news, taking to social media with predictions for the battle between experience and youth.
Many focused on the bout marking Chandler’s second since the canceled McGregor fight last July, while others went back and forth with their takes on who will emerge victorious inside Kaseya Center.
Gonna be weird seeing Chandler not fighting in a title elimination bout for once. Could be a repeat of the Oliveira fight or Chandler chins him early. Could see this one going multiple ways #UFC314#UFChttps://t.co/W5e7aHA7Rr
Very easy win for Paddy. They really done this lad every favour possible if he doesn't win the belt one day he should be ashamed his path has been put on a silver plate https://t.co/ZIxZZ6L9Yj
As much as love paddy, I've gotta take chandler on this one too… I just think he's gonna be put under to much pressure and fold, first real test for the baddy
MMA superstar turned analyst, Chael Sonnen has carefully observed the long-running feud between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett. He believes that the recent online trash-talk could very well turn into a real fight as tensions between the two began as early as 2022.
I warned you! This is what happens when you disrespect me and my country! You saw me and wanted to greet me because you shit your pants… and you should thank my team because of it wasn’t for them separating me, I would have taken your head off. @theufcbaddy 🖕 pic.twitter.com/PEdPRNGH5n
“The Baddy” has frequently tried to reignite his beef with Topuria. In one of his recent interviews, he called the reigning featherweight champion a ‘midget’, and showed interest in fighting the Georgian if he moves up to 155 lbs.
Pimblett also believes that Alexander Volkanovski clearing the featherweight division helped Topuria quickly grab the belt, and he’ll likely be overwhelmed by his opponents’ size at lightweight.
“The American Gangster” finds this callout interesting because it has all the potential to produce a great fight given the very real bad blood between the two fighters. Here’s what he said on the matchup in a recent video on his YouTube channel:
“Paddy the baddy is willing to welcome Ilia Toporia to 155 pounds. Now, it’s not Paddy’s first choice because Ilia is not a big enough name but he will do it because of the hand sanitizer incident—he wanted to give him a beating back then, so he will just delay that desire to whip Ilia Topuria until now at 155 pounds. Even though Ilia doesn’t quite have the name recognition now, I summarized, okay?”
The former title challenger thinks Pimblett might be trying to get the match with “El Matador” at the perfect time. The featherweight champ has expressed his desire to move up a weight class to challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who, interestingly, seems reluctant to hand out a title shot to another featherweight champ right away.
So, having Pimblett welcome Topuria to the lightweight division might be win-win for all the parties involved.
“But, from a performance standpoint, that’s great. That is great stuff by Paddy to declare that he is willing to do a favor for the world champion—stay in your weight class, fight for a world title, activate the participation clause of your contract, the only clause that you can have in MMA that can make you millions of dollars in one night. Leave all of that to come up to 155 over a personal feud where no title is on the line, no legacy is on the line.”
Because of their infamous alteration in 2022, Sonnen is confident that Pimblett vs. Topuria is certainly not a far-fetched dream:
“But we do have this incident with the hand sanitizer, and you know what? They do have unfinished business. I remember that night very well.”
Although he’s never fought at lightweight, knocking out Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back-to-back fights has skyrocketed Topuria’s popularity. On the flip side, Pimblett’s biggest wins are Tony Ferguson and King Green, and fans are still doubtful of his potential since the controversial Jared Gordon fight.
Assessing the situation, Pimblett remarked that despite Topuria’s recent victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Holloway, he doesn’t believe the Spaniard has done enough to earn a shot at Makhachev’s lightweight belt. While “El Matador” has stated he’s open to a rematch with Volkanovski, his preference is to move up and challenge Makhachev.
“I can’t see Ilia fighting Islam,” Pimblett said on the Blood Red podcast. “He’s only defended the belt once. Normally, you need to defend the belt like three times, and he’s not that big of a star to jump. He’s not (Conor) McGregor to just jump right up and fight for the other belt.
“So I can’t personally see that happening, but we’ll see what happens. I heard Ilia’s headlining the UFC 314 event against Volk, but you don’t know anything until it’s finalized with the UFC. I have been told this and that the last few weeks, last few months, but we’ll just see what happens.”
Pimblett and Topuria have a history of animosity, dating back to an altercation in London in March 2022. Their feud escalated further during the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference in December 2022, where security had to intervene due to their heated exchanges.
As for Pimblett, he is targeting a return to the Octagon at UFC 314, with rumors suggesting a potential matchup against Michael Chandler.
