LAS VEGAS – Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will decide a new featherweight champion at UFC 314. Thursday, the pair came face-to-face for the first time since their matchup was announced.
With Ilia Topuria deciding to give up the title and move up to lightweight, former champ Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will clash with Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in the headliner of the April 12 event, which takes place at Kaseya Center in Miami (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN/Disney+, ESPN+).
Volkanovski and Lopes were largely cordial during Friday’s news conference, though the Australian former champion poked fun at the Brazilian’s hair. When it came time to face off, there were more smiles than hard feelings. Volkanovski ripped his shirt off while Lopes kept his cowboy attire on. The two shook hands before they went their separate ways.
Diego Lopes towers over Alexander Volkanovski in the first faceoff for their #UFC314 vacant featherweight title fight. 👀 pic.twitter.com/wDZC9hCUzn
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 7, 2025
Check out the video above to see the Volkanovski vs. Lopes staredown from the UFC 314 press conference.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.
