The UFC return to marvellous Miami for UFC 314 with the best card of the year so far live from the Kaseya Center.
Main Event Preview
The vacant featherweight strap is on the line after superstar champion Ilia Topuria vacated the belt in February. Contesting the belt is all time great Alexander Volkanovski attempting to reclaim the belt he held for many years. Facing the former champion is a rising contender with an electric fighting style, Diego Lopes debuted in the UFC against Movsar Evloev and fought well to an unfortunate decision loss. Evloev is now number one contender in the division and most likely the next man to contend for gold at 145lbs. That impressive debut for Lopes boded well for his UFC future and he has not looked back since. Now on a five win streak with three first round finishes and big features on huge pay per view cards in 2024 fans have gravitated towards the Brazilian. Volkanovski is by far his toughest test to date.
The reign of Volkanovski at featherweight cemented him in the hall of fame and in the conversation as the greatest of all time at featherweight. 12 straight wins in the UFC stretching from 2016 to 2022 included four title defences. 2023 started with a leap up to 155lbs against Islam Makhachev in a razor close fight earning a fight of the year award. After suffering that first UFC defeat of his career he returned to featherweight to defend against Yair Rodriguez and looked back to his dominant best. However, the last two fights have cast doubt in the mind of some MMA fans. In October 2023 he stepped up on short notice to rematch Islam Makhachev and suffered a violent first round knockout. Four months later he returned to 145lbs against Topuria and suffered another devastating knockout loss. Now fans wonder if Volkanovski can return to his best in Miami.
Ones To Watch
In the co main the ever entertaining Michael Chandler faces Liverpool’s best Paddy Pimblett aiming to secure his name in the UFC top 10. This is Pimblett’s first scheduled 5 round UFC fight and the stage is set for him to sky rocket his already big following even higher. Since joining the UFC Pimblett has gone 6-0 and his last performance against King Green was by far his best, the form is red hot for the scouser. Alternatively, former Bellator king Chandler is 2-4 in the UFC and has lost his last two either side of a long spell of inactivity. His two wins inside the UFC octagon have come against Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson in sublime fashion. However, the upper echelon have always got the better of him and many believe that is due to his tendencies to entertain rather than win.
Another Bellator champion makes his UFC debut in Miami. Patricio Pitbull makes his long awaited walk to the UFC octagon at the Kaseya Center against former interim champion Yair Rodriguez. Pitbull has been regarded as one of the best fighters outside of the UFC for many years hence coming into the top of the division immediately. With a record of 36-7 the wealth of experience will always be an vital tool in his arsenal. Rodriguez is a wild striker that always entertains however, when facing the best in the division he falls short. Max Holloway dominated him over five rounds and Volkanovski stopped him violently in three rounds. To get back into title contention he needs a big performance here and for Lopes to win the main event. The fierce rivalry between the two spilled over at the UFC 314 press conference.
UFC 314
Main Card
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes
Result: Alexander Volkanovski defeats Diego Lopes via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Highlights:
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Result: Paddy Pimblett defeats Michael Chandler via TKO at 3:07 of Round 3
Highlights:
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
Result: Yair Rodriguez defeats Patricio Pitbull via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Highlights:
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs Jean Silva
Result: Jean Silva defeats Bryce Mitchell via Submission (Ninja Choke) at 3:52 of Round 2
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Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs Dominick Reyes
Result: Dominick Reyes defeats Nikita Krylov via KO at 2:24 of Round 1
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Prelims
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs Sean Woodson
Result: Dan Ige defeats Sean Woodson via TKO at 1:12 of Round 3
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Women’s Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan vs Virna Jandiroba
Result: Virna Jandiroba defeats Yan Xiaonan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Lightweight: Jim Miller vs Chase Hooper
Result: Chase Hooper defeats Jim Miller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs Julian Erosa
Result: Julian Erosa defeats Darren Elkins via TKO at 4:15 of Round 1
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Early Prelims
Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs Michał Oleksiejczuk
Result: Michał Oleksiejczuk defeats Sedriques Dumas via TKO at 2:49 of Round 1
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Flyweight: Sumudaerji vs Mitch Raposo
Result: Sumudaerji defeats Mitch Raposo via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Middleweight: Tresean Gore vs Marco Tulio
Result: Marco Tulio defeats Tresean Gore via TKO at 3:16 of Round 2
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Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs Hailey Cowan
Result: Nora Cornolle defeats Hailey Cowan via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:52 of Round 2
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