Alexander Volkanovski has been here before, but the situation is unusual to say the least.
Obviously, Volkanovski is used to big moments. “The Great” has been fighting outside of the championship match since 2019, and he will do so again when he fought Diego Lopez for the vacant featherweight title in the main event of UFC 314 on Saturday.
However, he has never fought for a title coming out of the 14-month layoffs. And then you’ll fall out of two catastrophic knockout losses. Here is a list of fighters who will win the indisputable UFC titles in a two-game winning streak.
It feels incredibly strange to declare that the deck is stacked against one of the best fighters ever – especially when most odds makers are slightly preferred by him – but this is as high as Volkanovski has ever had to climb.
Lopez was a worthy challenger, earning it in the UFC in a difficult way, and loved by fans and matchmakers everywhere for his attitude. He made his debut by putting fear into the undefeated Movsar Evloev, and has since won five straight times, establishing himself as a fresh face with plenty of high-level experiences.
Does Lopez’s Championship Journey conclusion bring to the end of Volkanovsky’s storied career?
Also on the main card, Michael Chandler and Paddy Pinblett met in a five-round lightweight co-main event, with Yair Rodriguez welcoming multiple Bellator Champion Patricio Pitbulls octagonal, Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva clashes.
what: UFC 314
where: Casey Center in Miami
when: Saturday, April 12th. The early spare cards for the four battles begin at 6pm ET on ESPN+ and Disney+, then air at 8pm on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+. The main cards for the five matches begin at 10pm only on ESPN+ Pay-per-view.
(The numbers in parentheses indicate that they are standing MMA is fighting against global rankings and Pound Pound Ranking))
Alexander Volkanovski (2, P4P-T13) vs. Diego Lopes (5)
Skills for skills, Alexander Volkanovsky is so good you still get.
Elite boxing? check. Rock solid-less ring? check. Airtight grappling? check. Expert clinch work? check. Even at 36, he can do it all. The first battle with Islamic Makachev showed how high he could reach, and before he was caught by Ilia Topria, Volkanovsky appeared ready to go into five rounds with “La Reyenda”.
However, a second fight against Makhachev should also be considered. And the fact that he was caught by Toplia at all. Volkanovski took a year off to recover, which only helps, how much? It’s not just mileage, but the rough terrain Volkanovski has navigated throughout his UFC career. At one point, you lose a step, and when you do, there are dozens of hungry fighters looking to go one step ahead of you.
Please enter Diego Lopez.
Hardened Lopez had not taken a sexy route to his championship opportunities. He’s not a prospect of an undefeated blue chip, and not a knockout of a series of highlight reels. I’m not going to fight with the microphone to force a matchmaker’s hand. It took him nine years. Dana WhiteCandidate Series for. He then lost, and it quickly returned to the drawings.
Lopez’s best ability was definitely availability, but don’t discount what you can do with the cage. He is a great striker, an outstanding grappler, well-skilled in both divisions, and is even challenged by the prime minister of Volkanovsky. Or beat this version.
I choose the rope. The weight class below the 170 pounds is not particularly kind to warriors over 35, especially those who left everything in their cages across multiple continents. Lopez may not be impressive to put Volkanovsky forever, but he defeats him early and sets the rest of the tone of a competitive battle.
Wherever Volkanovski is chasing this, it won’t become a featherweight champion.
choose: rope
Michael Chandler (14) vs. Paddy Pinblett
I predicted – no, revealed this fight to happen in episodes of To the following A while ago, I hadn’t apologized for it. He also has not apologised for choosing Mizuta Pinblett to take a place in Michael Chandler’s rankings.
Was Chandler’s UFC run unforgettable to say the least, as he somehow gained popularity and was able to continue booking his battle against top names in the lightweight division? If you saw his fight, you understand, but it’s always persuasive in some way, and he still has a lot of that former Bellator star cache. But at some point he has to drop the notch on the matchmaker’s estimate. The loss to Pimblett should do that.
Pinblet’s dangerous grappling is everything you need to deal with Chandler, a great offensive wrestler who never did well to avoid takedowns. “Iron Mike” is pleased to be able to scramble and move ways of getting out of danger, due to the entertainment of fans and his own disadvantages. He wears a pinbullet like a backpack for most of this fight and works in five rounds, which could potentially be a scorecard.
This becomes interesting as Chandler has a deep gas tank and if the Florida crowd can’t get Pinblet to get him away early, the Florida crowd can push him into an energetic final lap (I don’t think he can do it). Pimblett must bank at least three of the first four rounds. Because if you’re tossing up to the fifth, Chandler will raise hell and push the pace where Pimblett can’t match.
That being said, I do what he needs to be on the scorecard and survive the final five minutes of the fight. As a result, Pinblett fans will bring another big victory to celebrate, so real people should be pleased.
choose: Pinbullet
Yair Rodriguez (8) vs. Patricio Pitbull (9)
My mind said the Patricio Pitbull when this fight was announced, but my brain came to Air Rodriguez.
The first factor to consider is the opposite quality. As for the Solid Bellator featherweight division, it’s not radical to say that Rodriguez’s UFC opponent is objectively high caliber. I’ve always been the opinion that Pitbull would have been the top five UFC featherweight in his Prime, but that’s theoretical. Rodriguez actually did that walk.
Then there is the pure size advantage that Rodriguez has. It’s not just about reaching your arms. Rodriguez’s fatal kick is a pitbull nightmare and I believe that Pitbull will mix with takedowns if the opportunity is presented, but he will eat plenty of legs and knees before digging.
If I give the pitbull an edge with anything, it might be hand speed, but there too, Rodriguez is not leaning forward. He is a nightmare matchup for Pitbull, an absolute gamer who puts all his might in three rounds to pursue his UFC Championship dreams.
That alone isn’t enough.
choose: Rodriguez
Jan Silva vs Bryce Mitchell
From the moment this matchup was booked, Jansilva from knockout was a clear prediction. Obviously, I don’t think there’s any reason to deviate from that.
This is definitely a winning matchup for Bryce Mitchell, and given his excellent grappling and offensive style, putting a fighter like Silva on his hind legs might be something he needs to ease his explosive blow. So we can see why Mitchell quickly embraced the opportunity to derail the hype train of one of the most promising representatives of combat nerds.
However, Silva’s speed is the difference here. He was quickly stepping in, showing that he could defend his takedown and get up when he was on his back. His grappling defense must be appropriate, but if Mitchell takes a one-dimensional approach to neutralize Silva, it cannot be made easy.
Mitchell isn’t sure he can avoid Silva’s punch in three rounds, even if he slows down at first. Knockouts are inevitable.
choose: Silva
Nikita Krylov (9) vs. Dominick Reyes (15)
Dominic Reyes on his winning streak? How many years is this?
Your eyes should not deceive you. Reyes has been involved in a first consecutive victory since 2019, and after “almost beat John Jones”, he looks younger and free from the expectations that have overwhelmed him for a long time. In honor, his comeback was probably helped by the fact that his past two enemies are older than him, but hey, victory is victory!
Krylov is somehow younger than Reyes, despite having quite a lot of experience. He has also not taken action in two years. This is just a weird matchup, but it’s worth it given the current rankings and streaks (Kryloff got three straights!
Reyes’ athleticism and agility set foot in the competition early in his career, and he is still in a hurry. Kryloff needs to sound defensive here as Kryloff appears to close the distance and produce as many collisions as possible, hoping that Rays will prevent him from finding any kind of rhythm.
Expect this fight to be all kinds of junkies as long as it lasts. Reyes finally breaks Kryloff and finds the angle to lay out him.
choose: Reyes
spare
and Ige def. Shawn Woodson
Girl Virna (5, P4P-18) def. Yan Xiana (3, p4p-11)
Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller
Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Cedriques Dumas
Mitch Raposo Cook. Children
Marco Tulio def. Tresean Gore
Nora Cornor def. Haley Cowan