The UFC is back in the Sunshine State – and this time it’s bringing a pay-per-view lineup that promises to sizzle in red-hot Miami on April 12.
With both belts and reputations on the line in Florida, UFC 314 is guaranteed to be a gripping spectacle at The Kaseya Center with MMA fans and betting enthusiasts gearing up for a night of intense action in the octagon.
Alongside being headlined by co-main events featuring Alexander Volkanovksi, Diego Lopes, Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett, UFC 314 also has an undercard selection that will thrill.
Featherweight Fireworks: Volkanovski vs. Lopes
In the main event, former featherweight king, Alexander Volkanovksi (26-4), returns to the ring for a showpiece showdown with dangerous Brazilian Diego Lopes (26-6) in a clash that will see the new UFC Featherweight champions crowned after the dust settles.
Former champion Ilia Topuria’s decision to switch divisions to lightweight has left the featherweight strap unclaimed, giving both Volkanovski and Lopes at shot at glory in Miami.
Alexander Volkanovski: The redemption arc
For Volkanovski, April 12 is a day of destiny, giving him a chance to reestablish his reputation and his legacy. The Aussie brawler was the dominant force in the featherweight division between 2019 and 2024 when he successfully defended his title five times.
Volk also had two shots at achieving double-champ status against Islam Makhachev during that period and though he failed on both occasions, his efforts were admirable and earned him cult-hero status in MMA circles. That was until his KO loss to Topuria at UFC 298 in California.
Volkanovski has been licking his wounds since that knockout defeat, though the official number one contender is no stranger to bouncing back.
Some have questioned the Australian’s staying power, however, with Volkanovski creeping up on his 37th birthday, though UFC 314 should provide the masses with answers.
Diego Lopes: The wild card with bite
Diego Lopes remains an enigmatic challenger and though he hasn’t established himself as a household name just yet, April 12 could be his window of opportunity.
The number three contender has been cutting through the division like a buzzsaw and motivated by his UFC debut loss to Movsar Evloev, the 30-year-old has embarked on a five-fight winning streak since, with his clinical beatdown of veteran Brian Ortega at UFC 306 a particular highlight.
Like many of his compatriots, the flashy and fearless Brazilian is lethal on the mat and if he can drag Volk into deep water, he could suffocate his opponent. Lopes is the outsider at longer odds in the betting markets ahead of the featherweight title face off, however, he has the tools to make light of his underdog status.
Indeed, for UFC betting opportunists, the South American could well be the value pick of the night at better than even money.
Co-Main Chaos: Chandler vs. Pimblett
If the main event is shaping up to be a chess match, the co-main has the makings of a bare-knuckle brawl in comparison.
Following half a decade chasing the ghost of Conor McGregor, bomb-throwing Michael Chandler (23-9) is finally back in business and is ready to step back into the cage in the UFC for the first time since his loss to Charles Oliveira at 309 in New York City.
Proud Liverpudlian Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett (22-3) represents a very different dance partner to Oliveira however, and should pose a series of awkward questions for Chandler in Miami.
Pimblett is 6-0 since marking his UFC debut with a win over Luigi Vendramini in 2021, however, while four of his six victories were rewarded Performance of the Night supplements, the 30-year-old has looked exposed at times and has absorbed some big hits.
The brash Pimblett oozes confidence and he produced a slick submission to beat Bobby Green at UFC 304, however, Chandler is by a distance the biggest name and most dangerous opponent the Englishman has faced.
Chandler hits like a truck and the integrity of Pimblett’s chin could be tested in Florida. Pimblett is the bookies’ favourite to prevail, but we wouldn’t be surprised if a Chandler haymaker makes the difference.
UFC 314 Main Card Rundown
The rest of this PPV card? Absolute violence:
- Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes – A light heavyweight clash with genuine title implications
- Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson – A featherweight skirmish of wills
- Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba – A pivotal strawweight scrap
- Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper – Youthful promise meets grizzled grit
- Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa – Bonus potential written all over it
UFC 314 Undercard
Keep your eyes on these matchups, too:
- Alberto Montes vs. Roberto Romero
- Sedriques Dumas vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
- Sumudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo
- Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio
- Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan
The card at UFC 314 in Miami is subject to change—but the excitement isn’t. Fireworks are guaranteed in Florida.
