Alexander Volkanovski has become a two-time Featherweight World Champion after he overcame Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314, held at the Kaseya Centre in Miami on the morning of Sunday 13 April.
‘The Great’ put up a powerful performance, pouring on offence throughout, though he did have to survive a couple of scares from Lopes, who was ultimately outclassed but deserves credit for a brave showing against one of the division’s all-time greats.
After five rounds of action, the judges returned scorecards of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 all for Volkanovski, who became the first male fighter in UFC history to win a championship fight in the lighter classes after the age of 35.
RECLAIMED HIS THRONE 🏆@AlexVolkanovski defeats Diego Lopes by unanimous decision to reclaim his featherweight title!
— UFC (@ufc) April 13, 2025
[ B2YB @DudeWipes | #UFC314 ] pic.twitter.com/kRUl7A7Xgo
“It’s good to be back,” said Volkanovski after the fight. “Mate, I’ve never felt the love so much.”
In the lightweight co-main event, Paddy Pimblett made a major statement of intent with a dominant win over Michael Chandler, ultimately claiming victory via a third-round flurry of strikes that forced a stoppage.
The Englishman made it clear he wanted to continue proving critics wrong by facing elite fighters such as Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. However, he seemed to have a bit more interest in former lightweight champion Oliveira.
“I want Dustin, Justin, Charles or the little posh boy Arman," Pimblett said. "Any of them four. I want them all. I respect Dustin, Justin and Charles. I respect Charles and they say he's the best submission artist in the UFC. Well, I dispute that.”
The rest of the main card saw Yair Rodriguez outpoint Patricio Pitbull across three rounds of a featherweight fight; Jean Silva submitted Bryce Mitchell in a featherweight fight; and Dominick Reyes knocked out Nikita Krylov in the first round of their light heavyweight bout.
The UFC continues in two weeks’ time with an event at the T-Mobile Centre in Kansas, headlined by a welterweight clash between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates.
UFC 314 – MAIN CARD RESULTS
- Main event: Vacant Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47 49-46 49-46), R5, 5:00
- Lightweight: Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO (elbows and punches), R3, 3:07
- Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (30-27 30-27 30-27), R3, 5:00
- Featherweight: Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via submission (Ninja choke), R2, 3:52
- Light heavyweight: Dominick Reyes def. Nikita Krylov via KO (punch), R1, 2:24