UFC heads to South Beach at the Kaseya Center in Miami will host Volkanovski vs Lopes Odds this weekend.
UFC 314 is the promotion’s fourth trip to Miami, and this one will feature former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes squaring off for the vacant belt in the headliner.
“Pitbull” has also been the Bellator Featherweight World Champion on three different occasions.
Bet On UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes Odds, Betting Prediction
Let’s look at the complete fight card as well as our sports betting thoughts on several of the fights.
Main Card (Pay Per View)
- Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (UFC Featherweight Championship)
- Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)
- Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (Featherweight)
- Bryce Mitchell vs Jean Silva (Featherweight)
- Nikita Krylov vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
Alexander Volkanovski (26-4, 13-3 UFC, -122) vs Diego Lopes (26-6, 5-1 UFC, +102)
Volkanovski seeks to establish a second dominance era in his career as Lopes, despite an improbable journey, secures a title shot. The UFC Featherweight division hosts top MMA talents. Since 2019, Volkanovski has combined striking with grappling, defeating legends like Jose Aldo and Max Holloway. He notably overcame Brian Ortega, escaping a guillotine choke to secure a crucial victory in that match.
Volkanovski previously defeated the Korean Zombie and Holloway before facing lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, losing by decision in early 2023. In their rematch, he suffered a quick knockout from Topuria. Now, 14 months later, he prepares for a challenging yet winnable opponent.
Lopes faced defeat in his UFC debut against skilled wrestler Movsar Evloev but has since thrived. Gaining opportunities on prominent cards, he triumphed over Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff, leveraging his relentless energy and aggression, though this style often risks him burning out during fights.
He has shown stamina making his approach work, especially against Brian Ortega. Despite potential surprises early, Volkanovski’s experience and solutions likely overwhelm Lopes. Ultimately, Volkanovski is expected to win by decision due to his superior skills and tactics.
Paddy Pimblett (22-3, 6-0 UFC, -148) vs Michael Chandler (23-9, 2-4 UFC, +124)
Pimblett has an opportunity to ascend in the UFC rankings toward title contention, thanks to his elite ground game that has made him a prominent figure in England’s MMA scene. However, his striking is erratic and defensively weak, relying on stamina and size.
In 2022, he controversially defeated Jared Gordon by decision after Gordon relaxed despite scoring points. In 2023, he won a decision against a fading Tony Ferguson, displaying fatigue. However, in July 2024, he impressively defeated Bobby Green in under four minutes. If he beats Chandler, a title shot awaits him, with just one more victory needed.
Chandler has proven to be a strong fighter in Bellator and appears to be a solid contender in the UFC, although his record shows four losses in six fights. With his career advancing, he needs to be more strategic in seizing attack opportunities. He had a dominant debut against Dan Hooker and scored a brutal knockout against Ferguson in 2022. Despite losses, his fights are exciting, showcasing his high power and impressive stamina.
Since his 2022 loss to Dustin Poirier, he has faced challenges, pushing for a fight with Conor McGregor that took almost two years to materialize. He fought Charles Oliveira in November 2024 but lost. This matchup with Pimblett promises excitement, with both fighters prone to pressure, but Chandler’s striking power and Pimblett’s defensive gaps make Chandler a compelling underdog pick for a knockout victory.
Jean Silva (15-2, 4-0 UFC, -278) vs Bryce Mitchell (17-2, 8-2 UfC, +225)
Mitchell’s journey to potential featherweight contender status began with a strong ground game and versatile striking. However, he faced setbacks when Ilia Topuria submitted him and Josh Emmett delivered a memorable knockout. Notably, he later showcased his strength with a knockout slam against Kron Gracie in December, highlighting his resilience.
Silva has experienced a remarkable rise in the past year, winning on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023. He’s demonstrated significant striking power, knocking out tough opponents, while exhibiting patience in his fighting style. While his grappling skills remain uncertain, it’s anticipated that Silva will exploit openings to inflict damage. Likely to showcase his knockout ability, Silva is favored to win by knockout.
Yair Rodriguez (19-5, 10-4 UFC, -192) vs Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (36-7, 0-0 UFC, +160)
The latest fight marks the defection of a top Bellator fighter to the UFC. Freire, considered Bellator’s best fighter since his 2010 debut, has won belts at featherweight and lightweight, trying for a third at bantamweight. At 37, he remains competitive at featherweight, with only one loss since 2015.
Freire quickly avenged his previous loss by winning the rematch. His strengths lie in technical and mental skills rather than physicality, which benefits him in his upper 30s. He prioritizes defense, waiting for countering opportunities while neutralizing opponents’ aggression. A victory over Rodriguez would position him as a strong title contender.
Rodriguez was the best of a group of top prospects in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. Making his UFC debut, he displayed an elite level of creativity and a frenetic pace. He lost to Frankie Edgar in 2017, has had inconsistent pace due to injuries and UFC feuds, but won the interim title after defeating Josh Emmett, which earned him a headlining fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
Rodriguez suffered a setback against Brian Ortega in February 2024, where Ortega utilized wrestling to exhaust and submit him. Although Rodriguez has exhibited some defensive flaws due to his creativity, he had never struggled with stamina before. With his power, speed, and size, he poses a tough challenge for “Pitbull,” likely winning by decision.
Now, let’s look at an interesting opportunity on the preliminary cards.
Sean Woodson (13-1-1, 7-1-1 UFC, -170) vs Dan Ige (18-9, 10-8 UFC, +142)
Woodson is an unconventional featherweight at 6’2” and 145 pounds, showcasing impressive striking footwork and power, albeit with defensive vulnerabilities. He readily exchanges strikes, often absorbing punishment without conceding more points than he scores. While he excels in scoring from a distance, he’s also prepared for close-range brawls. His height poses challenges in quick exchanges, but he often maintains leads or stages comebacks. Upcoming, his matchup against the shorter yet similarly strong Dan Ige will reveal how he adapts to this dynamic.
Ige has established himself as a gatekeeper for aspiring fighters in 2024, gaining recognition despite only one win against Andre Fili. He took on Diego Lopes at UFC 303 on short notice but lost, followed by another defeat to Lerone Murphy. Ige is known for his powerful punches and unmatched stamina, though his lack of range can lead to frustration and risky situations. Woodson might opt for a tactical approach, but Ige is likely to push forward if he feels hindered, potentially securing a knockout victory.
Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+ / Disney+)
- Dan Ige vs Sean Woodson (Featherweight)
- Yan Xiaonan vs Virna Jandiroba (Women’s Strawweight)
- Jim Miller vs Chase Hooper (Lightweight)
- Darren Elkins vs Julian Erosa (Featherweight)
Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+ / Disney+ / UFC Fight Pass)
- Sedriques Dumas vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
- Su Mudaerji vs Mitch Raposo (Flyweight)
- Tresean Gore vs Marco Tulio (Middleweight)
- Nora Cornolle vs Hailey Cowan (Women’s Bantamweight)
For gold and glory! @AlexVolkanovski vs @DiegoLopesMMA
[ #UFC314 | SAT 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/aeqkZfDG8G
— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2025
UFC Betting Odds For Today
Xbet UFC Odds for the Bouts
Volkanovski vs Lopes Odds, Bet on UFC 314
Love betting MMA? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date MMA lines
