The vacant featherweight title was on the line in the UFC 314 main event at Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday. Former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski faced No. 3 ranked Diego Lopes to crown a new 145-pound champion after Ilia Topuria vacated the title.
Volkanovski held the featherweight championship from December 2019 until losing to Topuria in February. He had five successful title defenses in his championship reign. “The Great” had the opportunity to become a two-time titleholder.
Lopes entered Saturday’s contest riding a five-fight winning streak. The heavy-handed Brazilian was looking to pull off an upset and gain a championship.
Both fighters circled in the center of the cage before Volkanovski delivered a leg kick. He landed another leg kick. Lopes was careful through the first minute or so. Volkanovksi closed the distance and landed a right hand but Lopes connected with an uppercut. They exchanged leg kicks. Lopes landed a right hand. Volkanovski responded with a clean right hand counter. Volkanovski circled on the outside. He landed a left hook that knocked Lopes back. Lopes landed in the exchange as well but Volkanovski did more damage.
Volkanovski landed his jab and closed the distance and took Lopes down. Lopes quickly stood and took a knee in the process. They battled in the clinch and Volkanovski delivered right hands. He put Lopes on his back and ended the round on top. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkanovski.
Lopes pressured Volkanovski to start the second frame but didn’t let his hands go. Volkanovski circled on the outside. Volkanovski delivered a calf kick and Lopes partially landed a right hand counter. Volkanovski looked for a takedown but Lopes shook off the attempt. Lopes stepped in the pocket with a double jab. Volkanovski landed a right hand that stunned Lopes. The former champ looked to put Lopes on his back but Lopes fought off the attempt and circled free. Volkanovski continued to deliver leg kicks. Volkanovski had a cut over his right eye. Lopes landed a combination that knocked Volkanovski down in the final moments of the round. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Lopes.
Lopes took the center of the cage in the third. Volkanovski circled to his right pawing with his jab. Volkanovski connected with a right hand and got out of the way of the counter. Volkanovski continued to target the legs of Lopes. Lopes landed a combination. Volkanovski landed a left hook. Lopes pressed forward and walked into a left hand. Lopes picked up his aggression. Volkanovski changed levels but Lopes saw it coming. Lopes went to the body with a kick. Volkanovksi landed a right hand. Lopes responded with a head kick that grazed Volkanovski. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkanovski.
Volkanovski opened the fourth frame with a combination that Lopes partially blocked. Volkanovski kept investing in leg kicks. Volkanovski went to the body with a kick. They exchanged and Lopes landed at the end of it with a right hand. Volkanovski landed a counter right hand followed by his jab. Lopes landed a right hand the hurt Volkanovski. Lopes went on offense. Volkanovski fired back. Volkanovski is on the retreat. Lopes inched forward with a minute on the clock. Volkanovski connected with a right hand. Volkanovski landed another right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Lopes.
Lopes pressured Volkanovski to start the final round. Volkanovski landed a right hand. Volkanovski connected with a clean right hand. Lopes landed a stiff jab followed by a leg kick. Volkanovski stepped in the pocked with a combination. Lopes found a home for his right hand. Volkanovski landed a right hand. Volkanovski looked up at the clock. Volkanovski connected with a right hand. Lopes put his hands down and pressed forward. Volkanovski landed a left hook in response. Volkanovksi landed a right hand and the round ended with the two throwing punches. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkanovski.
The judges scored the fight for Volkanovski via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46.
