UFC 314 brings MMA back to Miami with some huge Featherweight division bouts on the card.
The main event of UFC 314 sees Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes battle it out to become the new UFC Featherweight Champion. Ilia Topuria vacated the title to move up to Lightweight, giving the men a huge opportunity to win gold in this Featherweight contest.
Meanwhile, the co-main event sees Paddy Pimblett going toe-to-toe with Michael Chandler. Pimblett predicted a victory over Chandler in the build-up to the fight, but the American fighter will not be an easy win for the Englishman.
Elsewhere, Jean Silva looks to keep his knockout streak alive in a heated fight with the controversial Bryce Mitchell, and there is a Light Heavyweight clash between Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes on the main fight card.
Ahead of UFC Vegas 314, the experts at Bloody Elbow have picked their winners for the two main event fights, as well as the Performance of the Night and their Fight of the Night.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes predictions
- Jordan Ellis – Alexander Volkanovski
- James Sweetnam – Diego Lopes
- Jamie Theodosi – Alexander Volkanovski
The Bloody Elbow experts are in two minds about which man will walk out of Miami as the new UFC Featherweight championship. With Topuria chasing a fight with Islam Makhachev, the title belt has been vacated and put on the line in the main event of UFC 314.
Jordan and Jamie both agree that Volkanovski will take home the win. Volkanovski lost against Topuria and Makhachev in recent bouts, but has the experience as a former Featherweight champion to take the fight to Lopes.
However, James can’t look past Lopes for this title fight. Lopes is incredibly confident for the Volkanovski fight, and the fact he’s won his last five UFC fights in a row puts him in a good position to win his first title in the promotion.
Paddy Pimblett vs Michael Chandler predictions
- Jordan Ellis – Paddy Pimblett
- James Sweetnam – Michael Chandler
- Jamie Theodosi – Paddy Pimblett
The experts are once again split, as Jordan and Jamie pick Pimblett as the winner of the co-main event fight against Chandler.
Pimblett is on a 6 fight winning streak since debuting in the UFC in 2021. He is ranked 12th in the Lightweight division and could leapfrog 8th-place Chandler by beating him in this fight. Pimblett is already eyeing up a title fight in the future and seems likely to win his 7th fight in a row.
However, James thinks Chandler has enough to beat his English opponent, despite losing 4 out of his last 5 fights in the UFC. “Iron Mike” is already planning his next fight, as Chandler wants to call out Conor McGregor after the fight. This confidence could translate into a victory for the American in this huge clash at UFC 314.
Fight of the Night at UFC 314
- Jordan Ellis – Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa
- James Sweetnam – Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
- Jamie Theodosi – Paddy Pimblett vs Michael Chandler
The fact that there are three separate choices for Fight of the Night shows just how strong a card there is for UFC 314. Jordan thinks the undercard bout between Darren Elkins and Julian Erosa will deliver the best action. Both men are coming off two wins in a row each, and with very similar records in their career, this fight could be anyone’s to win.
Meanwhile, James thinks the highly-anticipated clash between Yair Rodriguez and Patricio Pitbull will be the most exciting fight on April 12. Rodriguez has been critical of Lopes in the run-up to UFC 314 and will want to prove himself before the main event. He’s up against UFC debutant Pitbull, who has already notched up 36 wins in his career and will be looking for one more against Rodriguez.
However, Jamie is backing the co-main event to live up to the hype and be the Fight of the Night. Pimblett and Chandler have proven their mettle in the octagon and have the ability to put on a fantastic bout at UFC 314.
Performer of the Night at UFC 314
- Jordan Ellis – Yair Rodriguez
- James Sweetnam – Jean Silva
- Jamie Theodosi – Sean Woodson
Rodriguez will win the Performer of the Night cash prize at UFC 314 according to Jordan. The Mexican fighter has had his last four fights end in submission or knockout and has a point to prove after defeats to Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.
However, James sees Silva as the one to watch. Fans have predicted that Silva will knock Mitchell out, extending his already impressive record in the UFC and move closer to a title shot in the future.
Finally, Jamie is excited to see what Sean Woodson can do on April 12. The American is facing Dan Ige and has only lost once in nine UFC fights. Their clash on the prelims could be the one to look out for, with Woodson somebody who could do something special at UFC 314.
