The Kaseya Center has the pleasure of hosting an action-packed fight card as Miami prepares for UFC 314. The Main Event sees Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes fight for the vacant UFC Featherweight title. The Co-Main Event showcases a five-round Lightweight battle between the #7 contender, Michael Chandler, and the #12 contender, Paddy Pimblett. Here is everything you need to know before this stacked PPV begins.
early prelims
Nora Cornolle vs Hailey Cowen (Women's Bantamweight Bout) - Cornolle's eight-fight winning streak came to an end when she lost her most recent bout by split decision against Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Paris. The French Bantamweight has stopped seven of her eight conquered opponents with six of those victories ending by KO/TKO. Cornolle will aim to get back in the win column as she isn't far away from the 135-pound rankings.
Cowan made her UFC debut in her last fight where she lost by unanimous decision against Jamey-Lyn Horth at UFC Vegas 72. All Hail shares two knockouts and two submissions with the seven wins she has in MMA. Cowan has not fought since April 2023 as she's had a long break from the sport, looking to claim her long-awaited redemption in Miami.
Tresean Gore vs Marco Tulio (Middleweight Bout) - Gore currently stands on a two-fight winning streak after earning a first-round submission win over Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 100. Mr Vicious has five finishes out of six MMA victories, securing two KO/TKO wins and three submissions. The American holds two consecutive submission wins at the moment, and will be chasing for a third in his first battle in front of a crowd.
Tulio shined on his UFC debut when he defeated Ihor Potieria by first-round TKO at UFC Vegas 101, making a good first impression. Matuto heavily relies on keeping the fight on the feet as out of 13 wins, he holds nine of those by KO/TKO. The Brazilian is currently on a nine-fight winning streak and with three consecutive knockouts, he will look to do the opposite of what his opponent plans.
Sumudaerji vs Mitch Raposo (Flyweight Bout) - Sumudaerji has not been on a good run of form as he currently holds a three-fight losing streak with his last defeat coming against Charles Johnson by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 99. The Tibetan Eagle has impressed when keeping battles on the feet as he claims 13 knockouts out of 16 victories. The Chinese fighter has fallen down the Flyweight rankings and does not have a positive record in the UFC, so a win will be huge turn-around for him.
Raposo suffered a loss on his UFC debut when he just came short on a split decision against Andre Lima at UFC 302. The Massachusetts-born mixed martial artist holds seven finishes in MMA with four ending by KO/TKO and three by submission. Raposo is still in search of his first UFC win and could just earn it against a former contender of the division.
Sedriques Dumas vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight Bout) - Dumas found redemption when he secured an unanimous decision win against Denis Tiuliulin at UFC Abu Dhabi. Despite not having any stoppage wins in the organisation just yet, The Reaper has four KO/TKO victories and two submissions on his record. Dumas will be aiming to start another win streak in the UFC as he makes his second appearance at a PPV event.
Oleksiejczuk is currently suffering on a three-fight losing streak with his last bout ending by unanimous decision against Shara Magomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi. Hussar is a problem on the feet as 14 of his 19 wins in his MMA career have finished by KO/TKO. The Pole is at risk of being cut from the UFC as he is in desperation of getting back in the win column.
preliminary card
Darren Elkins vs Julian Erosa (Featherweight Bout) - Elkins began his winning streak at UFC Vegas 99 when he went the distance with Daniel Pineda to win by unanimous decision. The Damage has stopped 15 of his 29 conquered opponents with nine ending by KO/TKO and six by submission. The Featherweight veteran has been competing in the organisation since March 2010 as he looks to show off why he is one of the most experienced fighters in the UFC.
Erosa also began a winning streak in his last fight when he submitted Christian Rodriguez in the first round at UFC Denver. Juicy J holds 25 finishes against his enemies with 11 ending by KO/TKO and 14 by submission. The Washington-born fighter holds two consecutive first-round submission wins as he has found a lot of success on the ground and might gain another one at the Kaseya Center.
Jim Miller vs Chase Hooper (Lightweight Bout) - Miller went back to winning ways in his last battle when he defeated Damon Jackson by first-round submission at UFC 309. A-10 has claimed 28 stoppage wins, out of 38 triumphs in MMA, earning seven knockouts and 21 submissions. With the most fights, and wins, in UFC history, the New Jersey fighter has become an icon to the organisation as fans will hope to see him succeed against a rising prospect.
Hooper increased his winning streak to four when he stopped Clay Guida by first-round submission at UFC 310. The Dream always aims to stop a fight as out of 15 career wins, he's achieved four KO/TKO victories and eight submissions. Hooper has been an eye-catcher in the Lightweight division and if he can defeat the biggest veteran in the UFC, he could earn the chance to fight for a place in the Lightweight rankings.
Yan Xiaonan vs Virna Jandiroba (Women's Strawweight Bout) - Xiaonan earned redemption in her home country after defeating Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision at UFC Macau. The Chinese fighter likes to knockout her opponents as out of 19 wins in MMA, she holds nine KO?TKO victories. The #1 contender is looking to secure a title rematch with Zhang Weili, after losing the first bout at UFC 300, as she aims to maintain her ranking.
Jandiroba is currently on a four-fight winning streak after succeeding against Amanda Lemos, defeating the fellow Brazilian by second-round submission at UFC Vegas 94. Carcara is a dangerous submission artist who has choked or tapped out 14 of her 21 conquered opponents. The #3 contender has stood out from the rest in terms of becoming the next challenger as a victory will guarantee that opportunity.
Dan Ige vs Sean Woodson (Featherweight Bout) - Ige is currently standing on a two-fight losing streak after suffering an unanimous decision defeat to Lerone Murphy at UFC 308 in his last bout. With 18 wins in his MMA career, 50k has stopped six of his opponents by KO/TKO and five by submission. The #15 contender is aiming to stay in the Featherweight rankings, while searching for redemption at UFC 314 as he goes up against a eight-inch height disadvantage.
Woodson is unbeaten in his last seven fights after winning his most recent battle by first-round TKO against Fernando Padilla at UFC Tampa. The Sniper often goes the distance with his bouts, earning just four KO/TKO wins and one submission with his 13 victories. The St Louis-born fighter has the ultimate chance of entering the Featherweight rankings as he is gradually becoming a more difficult test.
main card
Nikita Krylov vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight Bout) - Krylov is on a three-fight winning streak, but hasn't fought since March 2023 when he submitted Ryan Spann in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs Dvalishvili. Out of 30 victories, The Miner has only gone to the judges scorecards twice as he holds 12 KO/TKO wins and 16 submissions. The #8 contender will be hoping to maintain his ranking and become a more active fighter in the division.
Reyes secured his second consecutive knockout win as he stopped Anthony Smith in the first round at UFC 310. The Devastator has stopped 11 of his opponents, earning nine KO/TKO victories and two submissions. The #11 contender has been on a satisfying redemption arc as it will continue to pay off is he can stop the Ukrainian, allowing him to boost up the Light Heavyweight rankings.
Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull (Featherweight Bout) - Rodriguez is currently on a two-fight losing streak after he suffered a third-round submission defeat to Brian Ortega at UFC Mexico City. With 20 wins in his MMA career, El Pantera has finished 14 of his enemies, earning nine KO/TKO triumphs and five submission. The #5 contender is coming up against a newcomer in the organisation as he will look to prove that its tough competition in the UFC Featherweight division.
Pitbull makes his debut at UFC 314 as he snapped his two-fight losing streak with a third-round TKO win in his last fight, defeating Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Champions Series Belfast. The Brazilian holds his fair share of stoppage wins, claiming 13 knockouts and 11 submissions. The former Bellator Featherweight and Lightweight Champion is looking to put on a good first impression in the UFC as he has the chance to become a top five contender in just his first fight.
Bryce Mitchell vs Jean Silva (Featherweight Bout) - Mitchell redeemed himself in his last fight with his first knockout win in MMA against Kron Gracie at UFC 310. Thug Nasty is a submission threat who has managed to choke or tap out nine out of his 17 conquered opponents. The #13 contender once again tries to defend his spot in the 145-pound rankings, coming up against a bigger rising star in the organisation.
Silva is on a 12-fight winning streak with his last battle ending by first-round TKO against Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle. Lord Silva is a dangerous knockout artist, holding 12 KO/TKO victories as well as two submission as he doesn't like to go the distance. The Brazilian will be aiming to make the most of his opportunity as he tries to become a ranked Featherweight and a bigger prospect in the division.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight Bout) - Chandler failed to redeem himself in his last bout after losing to Charles Oliveira by unanimous decision at UFC 309. Iron Mike currently holds 11 knockouts and seven submissions, out of the 23 victories he has claimed in his career, Out of six fights in the UFC, the #7 contender has only won two as he tries to capture redemption in Miami against a big Lightweight prospect.
Pimblett remained undefeated in the organisation after submitting King Green in the first round at UFC 304, making him a ranked fighter at Lightweight. The Baddy doesn't often leave it to the judges as out of 22 wins, he has secured six KO/TKO triumphs and 10 submissions. The #12 contender believes he just needs one more win after this fight before he can challenge for the title as he tries to defeat a former Lightweight title challenger.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight Title Bout) - Volkanovski lost his Featherweight title in his last fight as he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. The Great has 13 KO/TKO wins as well as three submissions with the 26 career triumphs he has achieved in MMA. The #1 contender is focused on getting his belt back as he tries to become the second fighter to become a two-time UFC Featherweight Champion.
Lopes is currently on a five-fight winning streak with his last victory coming against Brian Ortega by unanimous decision at UFC 306. Just like his opponent, the Brazilian holds 26 victories in MMA with 10 ending by KO/TKO and 12 by submission. The #3 contender has been a showstopper and has had an incredible rise in the Featherweight division as he has the chance to make his dreams come true by becoming a champion in the UFC.
Who will be the new UFC Featherweight Champion? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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