UFC 314 Preview: Volkanovski vs. Lopes - Who Will Reclaim the Throne?

The main event of UFC 314 will see former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski take on Diego Lopes for the vacant title. Volkanovski is looking to reclaim the throne he lost to Ilia Topuria last year, while Lopes is looking to make a statement and become the new champion.

Volkanovski (26-4) has not fought since losing his title to Topuria in February 2024. He has been working hard in the gym and is determined to get back to his winning ways. Lopes (26-6) is on a five-fight winning streak and is coming off a unanimous decision victory over onetime title challenger Brian Ortega last September.

Ige, who is scheduled to face Sean Woodson in the UFC 314 prelims, spoke to Brett Okamoto about the main event. He believes that Volkanovski must use his footwork and test Lopes' gas tank in the later rounds. Ige also noted that Lopes has a very big presence in the Octagon and that everything he does, it hurts.

Parker, ESPN betting expert, added insight and analysis on the UFC main event and other intriguing bets he likes on that card as well as in Friday's PFL first-round matchups featuring bantamweights and women's flyweights. Parker is taking Lopes to win (+105) and become the new champ. He believes that Lopes has the power and the elite jiu-jitsu skills to take out Volkanovski.

The rest of the UFC card features some intriguing matchups. In the lightweight division, Michael Chandler takes on Paddy Pimblett. Chandler is a former Bellator MMA champion and is looking to make a statement in the UFC. Pimblett is a rising star and is looking to continue his winning ways. In the featherweight division, Yair Rodriguez takes on Patricio Pitbull. Rodriguez is coming off a win over Jeremy Stephens and is looking to move closer to a title shot. Pitbull is a Bellator MMA legend and is looking to make a statement in the UFC. In the strawweight division, Yan Xiaonan takes on Virna Jandiroba. Jandiroba is coming off a submission win over onetime title challenger Amanda Lemos and is looking to move closer to a title shot. Yan has tremendous power in her striking, but when she is put on her back (which happens often), she tends to just play defense and stay there for the duration of the round.

The PFL card features some intriguing matchups as well. In the women's flyweight division, Liz Carmouche takes on Ilara Joanne. Carmouche is the largest favorite on the card and is looking to make a statement against Joanne. In the bantamweight division, Kasum Kasumov takes on Justin Wetzell. Kasumov is a pressure grappler who is looking to make his mark in the PFL. Wetzell is no slouch in the grappling department and has been finished once in his 12-fight professional career.