Alexander Volkanovski aims to regain the featherweight championship he held for over four years when he faces Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 on Saturday night in Miami. The title is vacant following Ilia Topuria’s shift to the lightweight division.

Volkanovski has encountered consecutive knockout losses, suffering another defeat against Islam Makhachev while aiming for the lightweight title, followed by a knockout from Topuria in February 2024. Despite losing three of his last four fights, Lopes enters the bout with a five-fight winning streak.

The undercard features compelling matchups that could influence the title landscape across various divisions. The co-main event includes Paddy Pimblett seeking a title shot against veteran Michael Chandler, while former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull makes his UFC debut against top featherweight Yair Rodriguez. Additionally, top-ranked featherweights will clash as Bryce Mitchell goes head-to-head with Brazilian striker Jean Silva.

Quotes

“I wish him the best in the UFC. I want him to come over and do well,” Chandler stated. “He’s a 145er, I’m a 155er. I have no interest in fighting Patricio Pitbull, but it will be interesting to share the same card with him.

“Let’s let bygones be bygones. You don’t need to spend any of your energy on me. Focus on trying to become the UFC featherweight champion.”

UFC 314

UFC 314 Fight Card and Odds

• Alexander Volkanovski -145 vs. Diego Lopes +120, vacant featherweight title
• Paddy Pimblett -170 vs. Michael Chandler +145, lightweights
• Yair Rodriguez -205 vs. Patricio Pitbull +170, featherweights
• Jean Silva -190 vs. Bryce Mitchell +160, featherweights
• Nikita Krylov -185 vs. Dominick Reyes +155, light heavyweights
• Sean Woodson -180 vs. Dan Ige +150, featherweights
• Virna Jandiroba -150 vs. Yan Xiaonan +125, women’s strawweights
• Chase Hooper -900 vs. Jim Miller +560, lightweights
• Julian Erosa -340 vs. Darren Elkins +265, featherweights
• Michal Oleksiejczuk -190 vs. Sedriques Dumas +160, middleweights
• Sumudaerji -170 vs. Mitch Raposo +145, flyweights
• Marco Tulio -380 vs. Tresean Gore +300, middleweights

Expert Picks

• Volkanovski vs. Lopes

  • Campbell: Lopes
  • Brookhouse: Volkanovski
  • Mahjouri: Volkanovski

• Chandler vs. Pimblett

  • Campbell: Pimblett
  • Brookhouse: Pimblett
  • Mahjouri: Chandler

• Rodriguez vs. Pitbull

  • Campbell: Pitbull
  • Brookhouse: Rodriguez
  • Mahjouri: Rodriguez

Analysis In this exciting matchup, expectations are high for Volkanovski as he seeks redemption against Lopes, who is riding the momentum of a five-fight streak. This fight promises to be not just a quest for gold but a battle of wills where experience and determination will play key roles.