The vacant featherweight title will be on the line in the primary occasion of UFC 314 this weekend, as Alexander Volkanovski takes on Diego Lopes in Miami.
Volkanovski is aiming to become a two-time champion, having not fought since he lost the belt last February, when he fell to a knockout defeat by Ilia Topuria. However with Topuria relinquishing the gold this February, as he prepares to maneuver as much as light-weight, a brand new champion is required at 145lb. With that, former long-reigning king Volkanovski will face Lopes.
Lopes, 30, enters Miami on a five-fight win streak, and the important thing query is whether or not the Mexican-Brazilian’s brawling fashion can check Volkanovski’s chin, which some followers really feel has weakened courtesy of KOs by Topuria and Makhachev.
Volkanovski is little question the tidier fighter, nevertheless, and that skillset noticed the Australian, 36, report 5 profitable title defences between 2020 and 2023. Actually, previous to a pair of light-weight losses to Makhachev, he was unbeaten for 10 years.
Additionally on Saturday, within the co-main occasion, brash Liverpudlian light-weight Paddy Pimblett takes on Michael Chandler, in “Paddy The Baddy”’s biggest test yet. Right here’s all it’s essential know.
When is UFC 314?
UFC 314 will happen on Saturday 12 April on the Kaseya Middle in Miami. The early prelims will begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET), with the common prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday). The principle card is then set for 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
The cardboard will air dwell on TNT Sports activities within the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and web site additionally streaming the fights. Discovery+ may also air the motion within the UK. Within the US, ESPN+ will stream the occasion dwell, as will the UFC’s Battle Cross.
Odds
Volkanovski – 4/6; Lopes – 6/5
Chandler – 11/8; Pimblett – 4/7
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Battle card (topic to adjustments)
Fundamental card
Alex Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (vacant featherweight title)
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett (light-weight, 5 rounds)
Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull (featherweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs Jean Silva (featherweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Dominick Reyes (light-heavyweight)
Prelims
Dan Ige vs Sean Woodson (featherweight)
Yan Xiaonan vs Virna Jandiroba (ladies’s strawweight)
Jim Miller vs Chase Hooper (light-weight)
Darren Elkins vs Julian Erosa (featherweight)
Early prelims
Sedriques Dumas vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (middleweight)
Sumudaerji vs Mitch Raposo (flyweight)
Tresean Gore vs Marco Tulio (middleweight)
Nora Cornolle vs Hailey Cowan (women’s bantamweight)
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