Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed his featherweight throne on Saturday, outpointing Diego Lopes in a thrilling main event at UFC 314.
After Ilia Topuria relinquished the belt in February, a year after dethroning Volkanovski, a new champion was needed – and so a title fight was booked between “Alexander The Great” and Lopes.
With Volkanovski having suffered knockout losses in his last two outings, against Topuria and in a lightweight-title clash with Islam Makhachev, some fans feared for the 36-year-old here. Especially as in the opposite corner was a younger, hungry contender in Lopes, who was challenging for UFC gold for the first time.
And the Mexican-Brazilian, 30, showed his danger in round two with a late knockdown of Volkanovski, courtesy of a clean one-two. It was a tense moment that threatened to derail Volkanovski’s masterful first-round work – and even his own success in round two, given he sent Lopes staggering badly against the fence. But the former champion recovered well, not only surviving the knockdown in the immediate moment but winning the third round with smart range management, tidy boxing, and investment in leg kicks.
To Lopes’s credit, he forged some momentum in round four, hurting the already cut Volkanovski with an uppercut and stalking the increasingly sloppy Australian around the cage. Yet Volkanovski finished strong and refused to get suckered into a brawl in the closing minutes, ultimately securing scorecards of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46. Re-live the UFC 314 main card and prelims.
UFC 314 LIVE
- Alexander Volkanovski survives knockdown to outpoint Diego Lopes in main event
- Australian claims vacant featherweight belt to become two-time champ after Ilia Topuria vacated
- Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett brutalises and stops Michael Chandler to edge towards 155lb title shot
- Yair Rodriguez, after press-conference clash with Lopes, dominates UFC newcomer Patricio Pitbull
- Bryce Mitchell, fighter who praised Hitler, choked unconscious by Jean Silva
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
07:16 , Alex PattleHere’s an in-depth look at how tonight’s main event unfolded:
Alexander Volkanovski survives knockdown to beat Diego Lopes and regain UFC crown
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:43
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:31 , Alex PattleWhat a fight. If someone told you beforehand that Volk would get dropped, would you have backed him to recover and win? Almost certainly not.
He showed he still has physical resilience, while showing his skillset is still incredible.
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:21Lopes: “Listen, it was an honour to share the Octagon with a legend like Alexander Volkanovski, but I’ll be back.
“This is a man who’s so experienced in the UFC, what a career he’s had. Tonight, maybe I came up short, but I can see myself coming back.
“I’ll get better [...] I’m gonna become a champion.”
Volk: “Oh, man, it’s good to be back. I’ve never felt the love so much.
“I was saying all week, I even said it to the camera before I walked out: I promised my girls I’ll bring the belt back to them, but then I thought... it doesn’t matter about bringing the belt back.
“A lot of people counted me out [...] To come back and beat a gun like Diego Lopes...
“It’s good to be back. To everyone watching, hey, adversity is a privilege, it truly is.
“This moment is incredible. I love you all, I really appreciate you.
“It’s an opportunity: you get adversity, if you build yourself back; it’s only gonna make you stronger, even if it doesn’t work out
“This is the s*** people are gonna write books about.”
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski beats Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:16 , Alex PattleTo the scorecards...
Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
TWO-TIME! Volk regains the 145lb title! Deservedly so.
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:13Round five
Final frame! Lopes is pressing forward. He misses with a wheel kick, wasted motion.
Nice right hook and jab by Volk. Hard cross now. Lopes with a straight of his own. Volk is denied a double-leg, then Lopes complains of an eye poke, but ref Marc Goddard isn’t having it.
Stiff jab from Volk, then a cross, and a knee to the body in close. Lopes is stalking Volk but looks frustrated.
One minute to go. Left hook gets through for Lopes, but he eats a jab. Lopes looks angry, and he’s going after the ex-champ now!
Volk has to be smart here. He almost trips the 30-year-old. Now he prioritises skipping around, trying to reach the buzzer, and he does!
WHAT A FIGHT! It should be Volk’s!
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:06 , Alex PattleRound four
Into the championship rounds, familiar territory for Volk – not so much for Lopes!
Lopes gets the crowd going. This is a great, tense fight.
One-two connects for Volk. Now an overhand right in a messy trade.
Volk is landing frequently, but an uppercut has hurt him, and Lopes is bearing down on him!! Volk is looking really sloppy here!
A left hook gets through for Lopes... He needs to put it on Volk, but he isn’t!
Volk makes it to the buzzer, but that’s a Lopes round. Volk may be 3-1 up, but it could be 2-2 depending on how the judges interpret round two.
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
06:00Round three
That second round might *still* be Volk’s; although he was dropped, he half-dropped Lopes earlier and was winning the round handily.
Round three. Volk gets in and out and avoids a couple of wild throws by Lopes. Low kicks from Volk. A decent one-two again by Lopes.
Volk is pulling his head back straight a lot, he might want to mix up his exits to avoid getting predictable. Both men land in a heavy exchange now... Volk lands two right hooks while retreating. Stern jab from Lopes.
Din Thomas and Joe Rogan say Volk needs to turn this into a brawl, as he’s the bigger hitter – absolutely NOT, awful advice.
Volk shoots for a double-leg, to no avail. He switches stances back and forth. Grazing cross now. Lopes misses with a wheel kick. Hard overhand from Volk. Lopes with a front kick to the body.
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
05:54Round two
Lopes presses forward now, trying to gain some momentum. He misses with a slashing right hand.
Volk is managing the range well at the moment. He lands a decent right hook. Lopes denies Volk a takedown, and the Aussie gets back to his low kicks.
Good cross by Volk as Lopes kicks low. Tidy jab by the former champ. Lopes with one of his own.
OH! Again Volk lands heavily, with a right and left, and Lopes stumbles badly to the fence! Volk pounces, grabbing the challenger, but he fails to take him down.
Good recovery in the short term by Lopes. Stabbing jabs from Volk, but he has a bad cut around his right eye now...
OH!!! Late in the round, Lopes drops Volk with a massive one-two!!! Wow!
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
05:48 , Alex PattleRound one
Both fighters stand orthodox. Volk likes tidy technique; Lopes is comfortable in chaos.
Volk presses forward and kicks low. Lopes is the much-taller man. He kicks low, too, and Volk lands a spinning back fist.
Now a tense exchange, with Lopes landing an uppercut and Volk landing a hook, it seems. Volk takes that shot well, his fans will be pleased to know, after his recent KO losses.
A brief clinch sees Lopes bury some shots into the body of Volk. Big overhand right by Volk! Lopes throws a cross, but it’s just out of range.
The Mexican-Brazilian, bruised under his right eye, is then staggered by a left hook!!
Nice jab by Lopes, and Volk retaliates with a body lock and trip against the fence! Volk with ground and pound late in the round.
This looks (SO FAR) like the Volk of old...
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
05:39 , Alex PattleOkay, both men are in the ring.
Will Volk become a two-time champ? Or will Lopes claim UFC gold at the first time of asking?
We’re about to find out...
UFC 314 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for vacant 145lb belt
05:31The main event is up next! Volkanovski vs Lopes for the featherweight belt vacated by Ilia Topuria.
Here’s our main-event preview, courtesy of Will Castle:
Why Alexander Volkanovski can write an unlikely redemption story at UFC 314
Pimblett tells Joe Rogan: “Lad, literally everything I have worked with my team, all the fight run-throughs we’ve done, has just happened here.
“This is how we win: we gameplan, we use our fight IQ, and we beat motherf*****s up.
“[I want] anyone in the top four, top five. I want that world title. Laugh all you want.
“What now? You gang of mushrooms. I want Dustin [Poirier], Justin [Gaethje], Charles [Oliveira] or the little posh boy Arman [Tsarukyan] – any of them four.
“I respect Dustin, Justin and Charles. Charles is the biggest legend out of them all, and he gets called the best submitting artist the UFC’s ever seen. Well, I dispute that, I’m here.”
UFC 314 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett fights Michael Chandler in co-main event
05:17Round three
Third of five scheduled rounds. Pimblett very much in control. Oh! A knee hurts Chandler, who is skipping away in a bit of a panic!!
Superman punch lands for him, but Paddy fires back with a combination of punches, before seeking a single-leg – then landing a slam...
He has the back against the fence, he’s cut open Chandler’s cheek, and he’s throwing more elbows.
Eventually Pimblett tries a rear naked choke, but Chandler tucks his chin well. Good strikes from Pimblett on a bloody Chandler – I mean, his face is a mess.
More elbow from Pimblett, and hammer fists, and punches, and the referee steps in!! It’s all over!
Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via third-round TKO (ground strikes, 3:07)
UFC 314 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett fights Michael Chandler in co-main event
05:12Round two
Pimblett with a couple of blitzes early in round two, and more leg kicks.
Now there’s a pause in the action after a low blow from Chandler – whose “dirty” tactics were discussed by Paddy pre-fight, you know. In all seriousness, it was an accident as Chandler tried a front kick to the body.
Back under way. Nice uppercut from Pimblett, before Chandler gets another body-lock takedown, dumping The Baddy to the mat.
Again Pimblett tries some back elbows. Chandler takes the back but is too high up, and he slips off. Now Pimblett is on top, seeking an arm-triangle!
Chandler is blocking it, managing to stay more side-on, too. Eventually Paddy passes into mount and rains down strikes! Chandler rolls over and gives up his back, he looks exhausted...
Pimblett wants a rear naked choke late in the round... He settles for strikes instead, including some nasty elbows before the buzzer!
UFC 314 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett fights Michael Chandler in co-main event
05:05 , Alex PattleRound one
Both lightweights stand orthodox. Pimblett is the taller man. He kicks low early, and again. Those were outside kicks, now he goes inside.
Stabbing front kick to the body of Chandler, who circles away then eats more leg kicks. He backs up Pimblett, who flicks out some punches to try to get the American off him.
Well-timed body lock from Chandler! He hauls Pimblett to the mat by the fence. Good control by “Iron Mike”; Pimblett looks to stay calm. Nice back elbow from the Scouser, as he gets to his knees!
Pimblett is trying a Kimura on one of Chandler’s holding arms... Big punch from Chandler deters Pimblett, who then stands against the cage wall.
Pimblett jumps guard then tries a triangle, to no avail. Both fighters stand in the ensuing scramble. More leg kicks from Pimblett.
OH! Clean cross from Chandler tests Pimblett’s chin! It holds up... Left hook by Chandler, then a stern jab. Pimblett takes them well.
Jumping switch kick from Pimblett late in the round! It was a fun frame. Chandler had the control, but Pimblett landed more strikes – though many of them were low kicks, which judges don’t often give enough credit for. So, hard to score.
UFC 314 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett fights Michael Chandler in co-main event
04:58 , Alex PattleBoth men are in the cage, five rounds scheduled here...
UFC 314 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett fights Michael Chandler in co-main event
04:49Here we go, the highly-anticipated co-main event: Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett.
Everything you need to know about the bout is in our fight preview below.
Walkouts begin now!
The Paddy Pimblett factor that highlights ‘impossible’ UFC change
UFC 314 LIVE: Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
04:38Round three
Yair certainly took round one; round two was closer but might have gone his way. One more to go.
Good left hook to the body of Yair. Pitbull is stalking him, knowing he needs a finish. Yair stumbles off balance. Hard right hook by Pitbull.
OH! Yair drops him with his own punch, before diving into the Brazilian’s guard with ground and pound!! Yair goes to the head and body, Pitbull tries to hang on... Gnarly elbows from Yair now...
Wow!! Out of nowhere, Pitbull throws up an armbar, and it’s close! But Yair wriggles out, jeez.
One minute to go. Yair re-engages and tries a heel hook... He doesn’t need to take any risks here, but he is. Pitbull escapes, and the buzzer sounds.
A great performance by Yair.
UFC 314 LIVE: Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
04:31 , Alex PattleRound two
Nice left hook from Pitbull, then another! Even harder. Now a grazing overhand right. He’s finding a way past Yair’s kicks here.
Well-timed takedown from the ex-Bellator man, too! Yair considers a guillotine in defence of the double-leg, but opts against it. Still, he’s quick to stand against the fence.
Good right cross from Yair, now two high kicks. Pitbull presses him back and tries a flurry of punches but misses.
Lots of kicks from Yair again, including a brutal body shot. Pitbull shoots for a double-leg from miles out, and he’s denied.
Against the fence, Yair trips Pitbull in the final seconds.
UFC 314 LIVE: Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
04:25 , Alex PattleRound one
Both men stand orthodox. Now Yair goes southpaw. A very tentative start from both. Yair kicks low, and Pitbull almost catches it.
A variety of kicks from Yair, as usual, including a front kick to the face. Again he kicks high, and Pitbull blocks it. Now a leaping switch kick from Yair is blocked.
Pitbull has thrown almost nothing in three-plus minutes. He eats a head kick now. Body kick.
Pitbull closes range and clinches, and he fails with a trip. The fighters separate. Decent one-two from Pitbull.
Now Pitbull throws a low kick as Yair is on one leg, and he pounces on his opponent on the mat. He’s quickly into side control, but without much time to work before the buzzer.
UFC 314 LIVE: Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
04:13 , Alex PattleOkay, this could be the fight of the night! Former interim champion Yair Rodriguez welcomes Patricio Pitbull to the UFC at 145lb.
Pitbull is a former two-weight Bellator champion, who has his eyes on UFC gold. He has such pedigree, but Rodriguez is a dangerous (and much-taller!) opponent.
Still, Rodriguez needs to be focused, having spent much of this week’s press conference barking at Lopes.
More on that here:
Why Yair Rodriguez and Diego Lopes nearly came to blows at UFC 314 press conference
Mitchell choked out by Silva at UFC 314 after praising Hitler
04:11More on the context around Mitchell’s recent comments, and how it led to Silva calling him out:
UFC 314 LIVE: Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva meet in grudge match
03:59 , Alex PattleRound two
Oh! A right hand drops Mitchell! Silva looks for some ground and pound, but Mitchell scrambles to his feet!
An ill-advised spinning back elbow by Silva allows Mitchell to pursue a double-leg, but Silva denies him well.
Now a knee to the body of Mitchell and an elbow upstairs. This time the spinning elbow lands, too.
Another elbow by Silva! Mitchell with some stabbing front kicks to the body.
Wonderful right hand by Silva, before he defends a takedown with a ninja choke... and Mitchell taps!!! Wow, he goes out anyway!
Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via second-round submission (ninja choke, 3:52)
UFC 314 LIVE: Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva meet in grudge match
03:54 , Alex PattleRound one
Mitchell presses forward in a southpaw stance and flicks out a few different kicks. He’s a grappling specialist, while Silva should feel more comfortable in the striking exchanges.
Silva just misses with a wheel kick. Hard low kick by Mitchell, now a side kick to the body – not for the first time tonight. Silva misses with a jumping front kick.
A right hook is just out of range for the Brazilian. He catches a kick, though, and tags Mitchell with a couple of punches. Mitchell shoots for a single-leg now, but he’s denied.
Both men stand. Silva is starting to find his accuracy. A spinning back kick lands! Mitchell shoots for a takedown, and Silva counters with a guillotine, but Mitchell escapes eventually!
The 145lbers end the round on their feet.
UFC 314 LIVE: Krylov vs Reyes opens main card
03:24 , Alex PattleRound one
Reyes stands southpaw, while Krylov is orthodox. The Russian backs up the American early, kicking high. Decent counter straight from Reyes, then a power jab.
The fans in Miami chant for Reyes, who kicks low. Grazing high kick now. Some scrappy entries from Kyrlov, who hasn’t fought in two years.
OH!!! REYES MELTS KRYLOV! It’s a step-back, short left hand that does it!
A jubilant Reyes goes over to acknowledge Trump at ringside.
Dominick Reyes def. Nikita Krylov via first-round KO (punch, 2:24)
UFC 314 LIVE: Donald Trump arrives before Krylov vs Reyes opens main card
02:59The main card begins in a few minutes, as Nikita Krylov and ex-title challenger Dominick Reyes look to climb the light-heavyweight rankings – at each other’s expense.
First, though, US President Donald Trump arrives to cheers in Miami, walked in by UFC boss Dana White. “U-S-A” is the chant in the Kaseya Center.
Reyes seeks a third straight knockout win here, while Krylov is on a three-fight win streak – including a decision, submission and KO.
It has been over five years since Reyes was robbed of a rightful title win against Jon Jones – and the statistic of being the first man to truly beat the 205lb GOAT.
UFC 314 LIVE: Dan Ige and Sean Woodson finish off prelims
02:52 , Alex PattleRound three
Good counter punches by Woodson as Ige looks to get on the front foot.
OH! Ige wobbles Woodson with an overhand left and pours on punches, adding clever body work as Woodson retreats to the fence!
Now Ige goes to the head, and Woodson looks to circle away but resorts to dropping and trying a single-leg...
It’s a bad visual as Ige adds more shots, and the referee steps in! An early stoppage... but Ige won’t mind at all!
Dan Ige def. Sean Woodson via third-round TKO (punches, 1:12)
UFC 314 LIVE: Dan Ige and Sean Woodson finish off prelims
02:50Round two
Ige with a couple of strong right crosses. One issue, though, courtesy of Woodson’s height, is that some of Ige’s punches are hitting the chest.
Decent short right hand by Woodson as Ige enters. Ige grabs hold of Woodson and grapples him against the fence, but Woodson soon escapes.
A slower spell now. Ige tries to up the pace but is struggling to close the range and land clean; a lot of his entries end with him tagging the chest or arm of Woodson.
Drive takedown attempt by Ige, but Woodson sprawls well and stands. He’s held against the fence, but not for long.
UFC 314 LIVE: Dan Ige and Sean Woodson finish off prelims
02:44Round one
Woodson is the much-taller fighter. Both men, standing orthodox, have knockout power.
Hard low kick by Woodson. Nice long cross to the body by Ige. Now a decent overhand upstairs! Ige with his own low kicks, too.
Woodson switches stances back and forth. More leg kicks by Ige, hammering them in. Woodson just about puts a couple of combinations together.
Lots of weird feints from Woodson. Ige is looking for big single shots.
Woodson doing the better work as the round progresses.
UFC 314 LIVE: Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba square off at strawweight
02:29 , Alex PattleRound three
Jandiroba has some swelling around her left eye. Yan is advised by her team to aim for the body in the striking exchanges and work her way up to the head.
Jandiroba lands a left hook in a scrappy trade. Yan denies the Brazilian a couple of takedowns. The third one is successful, though!
Jandiroba has the back and wants a rear naked choke. She settles for a slew of elbows, and as the buzzer sounds, she should get the decision!
And she does: Virna Jandiroba def. Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
UFC 314 LIVE: Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba square off at strawweight
02:23Round two
Jandiroba gets a takedown early and swiftly takes the back.
She thinks about a version of a Kimura, before targeting a rear naked choke.
Good defence by Yan, but she’s running out of time to make a positive impression in this round.
EVENTUALLY Yan escapes and stands, before looking to make up for lost time, raining down strikes! She enters Jandiroba’s guard, though, and now she’s defending an armbar!
Again Yan makes it to the buzzer...
UFC 314 LIVE: Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba square off at strawweight
02:18 , Alex PattleRound one
Both women stand orthodox. Jandiroba shoots for a takedown, but Yan denies her and fires off left hands to the head at the same time.
Grazing head kick lands for Jandiroba. Beautiful side kick to the face by Yan, wow. Now a hard cross to the body.
Jandiroba goes southpaw then back. Both women appear to land left hooks simultaneously. Jandiroba clinches Yan against the fence and, after some trouble, gets a takedown.
Yan eyes a triangle choke but settles for keeping her leg across the back of Jandiroba’s head to keep the Brazilian in place, where she’s a victim to hammer fists.
Jandiroba with hammer fists of her own in the ensuing scramble, which ends with Jandiroba entering Yan’s guard. Jandiroba stands, and her Chinese opponent lands a couple of up-kicks.
Now Yan stands. Jandiroba tries a creative Kimura attempt and takes down Yan, then switches to an armbar! Yan survives to the buzzer!
UFC 314 LIVE: Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba square off at strawweight
02:04Next up, former title challenger Yan Xiaonan takes on Virna Jandiroba at strawweight.
Xiaonan likely has more work to do to get back to a title shot, while Jandiroba is in fine form and could set up a championship opportunity with victory here.
Champion Zhang Weili last fought in February, outpointing Tatiana Suarez with an absolute clinic.
UFC 314 LIVE: Miller and Hooper clash in meeting of generations
01:56Round three
Miller tries to get the crowd fired up, but Hooper starts the final round well with a spinning back fist!
Nice feinting from Hooper to set up a successful double-leg, and he’s got half-guard against the fence.
Now he takes the back, and although Miller stands, he’s soon tripped. Hooper is holding Miller from behind still, but he’s struggling to wrap up the veteran’s legs.
Some boos from the crowd, but Hooper is working. He’s now attacking a heel hook, and Miller is really trapped, but the finish is proving elusive for Hooper...
A scramble leads to half-guard, as Hooper seeks an arm-triangle now. He releases the grip to slash down an elbow, Buzzer sounds, and the scorecards will ensue.
Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
The right result, and the biggest win of Hooper’s career!
UFC 314 LIVE: Miller and Hooper clash in meeting of generations
01:50Round two
After some teasing striking exchanges, Hooper grabs hold of Miller and is quick to take the back. Again, Miller is standing as Hooper tries a rear naked choke...
Hooper is off the ground as he seeks the submission, but now he drops his feet to the canvas and abandons the choke.
He takes down Miller and lands in side control. A decent elbow to the face, and Miller is somewhat bloody. Yet the veteran does well to stand and attack a guillotine – again! – against the fence...
Once more it fails, as Hooper pops his head out and gets on top. In the ensuing scramble, Hooper attacks a combination of a kneebar and foot lock, but the buzzer sounds.
UFC 314 LIVE: Miller and Hooper clash in meeting of generations
01:44Round one
Miller stands southpaw, as does Hooper, who eats a decent cross before shooting for a takedown.
Miller defends it well and looks to counter with a guillotine... but grappling expert Hooper rolls out well!
He ends up with Miller in his guard, and there he is tagged HARD with some hammer fists! It doesn’t stop him trying an armbar, but to no avail. What a fast start to this one...
Hooper is able to stand, driving for a double-leg, and Miller again tries a guillotine. He can’t finish it, and Hooper scrambles well to take the back of a now-standing Miller.
Eventually Miller is able to shake off Hooper, who attacks an armbar on the mat... No joy.
UFC 314 LIVE: Miller and Hooper clash in meeting of generations
01:27Next up, Jim Miller faces Chase Hooper at lightweight, and this fight has to have one of the biggest-ever age discrepancies in a UFC fight!
Miller is 41; Hooper is 25. Sixteen years between the opponents!
Why Volkanovski can write an unlikely redemption story tonight
Sunday 13 April 2025 00:20 , Alex PattleHere’s our own Will Castle on tonight’s main event:
“Volkanovski has the chance to write his redemption story when many assumed his career had passed a point of no return.
“This could well be his last shot at the gold. Volkanovski is already a bona fide icon of the sport, widely hailed for his legacy-defining four-year-plus run as champion. But with three losses in his last four, it feels time is running out for the former rugby prop.
“It’s a reality of sport that athletes enjoy a prime and Volkanovski, now 36, is surely past that. The sharp-witted Aussie has even leant into this himself, adopting an ‘Old Man Volk’ character in online skits, a move that cemented his prowess as an entertainer as well as a fighter.
“And while his acting prospects may be on the rise, things inside the cage have looked increasingly dire for Volkanovski loyalists over the past couple of years...”
Full preview:
Why Alexander Volkanovski can write an unlikely redemption story at UFC 314
Michael Chandler explains why he took Paddy Pimblett fight at UFC 314
Saturday 12 April 2025 23:51 , Alex PattleWhile Volkanovski vs Lopes came as a slight surprise, so did Chandler vs Pimblett – tonight’s co-main event.
“In this sport, things move fast,” Chandler said in February. “There’s a lot of stuff going on in the division, it’s a big summer for the lightweight division.
“And after the last fight – one of the most disappointing losses of my career – I wanted to get right back on the horse, get back in the Octagon.
“So, here we go. I like the match-up – love the match-up actually. I respect Paddy, I think he’s a skilled fighter, I think he’s still got a bright future, but I think he’s gonna run into a buzzsaw called Michael Chandler on 12 April.
“As always, I will be the most entertaining guy that steps inside the Octagon that night. I will have everybody on their feet, I will have everybody on the edge of their seat, and – in typical Chandler fashion – we’re going out there with one goal in mind: that’s to separate our opponent from consciousness.”
Full story:
Michael Chandler explains why he took Paddy Pimblett fight and how it came together
Topuria considered other fighters’ ‘dreams’ when vacating belt before UFC 314
Saturday 12 April 2025 23:34 , Alex PattleExplaining his decision to vacate at featherweight, Topuria told Men’s Health Spain recently: “I know I’m not going to cut weight right now, and I don’t want to hold up an entire division.
“There are guys who are preparing every day, who are fighting – just like me – for their dreams. And keeping the title would be very selfish of me.
“Besides, I’m the world champion whether I vacate the title or not; I don’t need a belt to feel worthy.”
More here, plus Topuria revealing his new fighting nickname:
Ilia Topuria considered other fighters’ ‘dreams’ when vacating UFC title
How Volkanovski reacted to Lopes fight and Topuria giving up belt
Saturday 12 April 2025 23:21 , Alex PattleSo, how did we get here, with Volkanovski vs Lopes set to crown a new featherweight champion?
It started with Topuria vacating the belt in February, as he eyes a move up to lightweight – and a shot at the gold in that division.
“We originally thought it was gonna be Ilia or Lopes,” Volk said. “I was just preparing for Ilia, because we did the face-off [in the cage, after Topuria beat Max Holloway in October].
“Then I was getting told, ‘We’re not exactly sure,’ so that’s when we were like, ‘Alright, something may be changing.’ But I’ve been preparing for April, Miami, for a while now. I’ve had a pretty long camp already.
“Lopes, obviously a dangerous dude,” Volkanovski said. “A bit of a different match-up to Ilia [...] I’m feeling great, and I’m only gonna get better from here, so that’s a scary thing – especially for Lopes.
“I think Lopes is in for a very, very hard fight. He’s a gamer, he’s a great dude, I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
More from Volk here:
Volkanovski reacts to Lopes fight after Topuria’s surprise UFC decision
