UFC 314 Preview
The UFC is invading the Casey Center in Miami, Florida on Saturday 4/12 for UFC 314. The main event will be for the vacant featherweight championship as former champion Alexander Volanovski will battle #3 Diego Lopes.
Volkanovski is trying to rebound from two-straight KO losses with his most recent being to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 where he lost the belt. While he is 1-3 in his last four fights (two of which were for the lightweight belt), the former champion defended the 145 pound belt five times before falling in his last fight. The resume he put together as a champion makes him more than worthy to fight for the title that Topuria vacated.
The 36-year-old responded to the pundits that believe his latest run is a sign that he is no longer a championship fighter. “Look, I think a lot of people are going to look at [those losses] and be like it was a bad run and they obviously can point to skill and what not,” Volkanovski said. “It was a short-notice fight that I took [against Makhachev]. I wanted to take a high-risk fight with high reward. I was ready to take it on and I thought I could it done. Didn’t go that way. Quick turnaround and got caught again [by Topuria].
“But a lot of people are going to look at that and be like ‘he’s done,’ and they have every right to think that. But for me, the guy that’s turning up at the gym, seeing what I’m seeing in preparation, I know I’m not done. There’s only one way to change everyone’s opinion is go out there this weekend and remind everybody. That’s exactly what I plan on doing.”
Volkanovski fought Topuria just four months after being KO’d by Makhachev, but for this fight he has had over year off. How does he feel? “Preparation’s where you know you still got it,” Volkanovski explained. “A lot of people are going to look at the last two [losses], I had the time off and it’s easy to say he’s done. But I’m in the gym knowing I’m not done and so is my training partners. Again, I can just show everyone and remind them this weekend and that’s the beauty of it.
“People will forget and that’s why we love this game, right? People can be quickly reminded as well and that’s exactly what’s going to happen this weekend.”
While the Australian hoped to one day face Topuria again, he knows he is in for a tough test on Saturday. “I obviously wanted that rematch with Ilia to just remind everyone and to get that win back,” Volkanovski said. “But at least I still get to fight the new generation of fighter.
“The game’s evolved so I’m fighting a young, hungry guy who’s on a bit of a tear so I still got the next best thing for the vacant belt.”
Volkanovski has key wins his career over Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, Max Holloway (three times), Chan-sung Jung, Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes. If he can become a two-time champion he will solidify his place in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Lopes has won five straight fights since losing his UFC debut in 2023. He most recently defeated Brian Ortega by unanimous decision at UFC 306 in September. What does fighting for the title mean to him?
“I was able to make my dream come true,” Lopes said. “My dream was to have something to eat because I would still fight with or without having something to eat. We went to tournaments to win and having something to eat. That’s what really mattered for us, really.
“And it was all worth it, man. I don’t regret anything. I’m happy with everything that happened. I left home 11 years ago and it all worked out. All the sacrifices and hard work. To be blessed with the opportunity of fighting for the belt is something that motivates me a lot. I’ll show I deserve this shot. I was away from my family and friends to have what I have today.”
Lopes had a rough start to his career but showed resiliency in and out of the cage. “I took a lot of risks in my life to make this happen,” Lopes said. “I think it goes to show what happens when you take advantage of the opportunities. This is why we're here. The reason why I was able to be here is because I took all these risks when I did not know what was going to happen. If you take advantage of opportunities that are given to your life that you have in front of you, you can make it, as well. I think that's what it shows.”
What does overcoming adversity mean to him? “I think it just inspires a lot of people to say if you don't give up, you can continue in your dreams; if you work hard and have a good head on your shoulders and have good people surrounding you, you can make things happen,” Lopes said. “Turn around and look at where I am. Four years after that loss on Contender, look at how far I've gone. I think this will inspire many kids. There will be setbacks, but they will be able to come back. And if you continue to pound on that, you'll be able to achieve something. Look at where we are right now.”
How does the Brazilian fighter feel he matches up against Volkanovski? “I think (my biggest strength) is 100% my jiu-jitsu,” Lopes said. “I'm so offensive. My aggressiveness now is different, too. I'm so hungry for this fight. I know Volk has so much experience and has fought so many guys, different styles. This guy has been in the UFC for a long time. This is his tenth consecutive fight for the title, so it is a lot of experience. But, I think I'm different. I'm special and I'm different.”
Lopes believes he is destined to become a champion. “It's something that I've imagined,” Lopes said. “I have envisioned that from time to time. I'm not afraid to think of that. I'm not afraid to believe and to fight for it. The tattoo that I have on my chest means that you dream about it, you go ahead and do it and that's what it is. I have envisioned it.”
The rest of the main card on PPV:
155 lbs.: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
145 lbs.: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
145 lbs.: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Freire
205 lbs.: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
ESPN+ Prelims:
145 lbs.: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson
115 lbs.: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba
155 lbs.: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper
145 lbs.: Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa
Early Prelims on ESPN + and UFC Fight Pass:
185 lbs.: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
125 lbs.: Su Mudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo
185 lbs.: Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio
135 lbs.: Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan
