UFC 314 Betting Tips
Alexander Volkanovski gets a shot at regaining the Featherweight title when he faces Diego Lopes at UFC 314.
The pair fight for the vacant 145lb belt after Ilia Topuria vacated to pursue a move to Lightweight.
The stacked card in Miami is full of star power, including Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett clashing in a five-round co-main event.
Here, we look at some of the best bets from the card.
Tip 1 – Diego Lopes to Win & Under 3.5 Rounds @ 9/4
It feels like something has to give as Alexander Volkanovski (26-4-0) faces Diego Lopes (26-6-0).
Volkanovski is a former champion who reigned the division during a six-fight title run between 2019 and 2024.
This included an undefeated trilogy with Max Holloway, as well as wins over Brian Ortega, Chan Sung Jung and Yair Rodriguez.
The now 36-year-old twice went up to Lightweight to pursue double champ status against Islam Makhachev, firstly losing a closely contested encounter at UFC 284 in February 2023 before being knocked out in the first round in the rematch at UFC 294 in October.
Four months after that knockout, Volkanovski went back down to defend his Featherweight title against surging contender Ilia Topuria, who knocked him out in the second round. Back-to-back knockout losses led the Australian to take some time away from the sport ahead of what looks certain to be a final run in his career.
Lopes has made quick progress in earning his title opportunity, winning five straight fights since making his debut in a short-notice defeat to the unbeaten Movsar Evloev in 2023.
The 30-year-old has become a popular fighter with his all-action style, bouncing back with three first-round finishes of Gavin Tucker (sub), Pat Sabatini (TKO) and Sodiq Yusuff (TKO). The Brazilian was handed a shot at the belt after progressing through a somewhat turbulent 2024, where he won a unanimous decision over Dan Ige, with his opponent taking the fight on five hours' notice after Ortega pulled out after initially missing weight.
Lopes then fought Ortega, who is a former two-time title challenger, at Sphere in September, winning a three-round contest.
Both men have questions to answer here. Volkanovski comes into this after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time in his career against a challenger who possesses both power in his stand-up and a dynamic grappling game.
Lopes has been fearless so far but heads into his first five-round contest in the UFC against an experienced former champion, who has been in more title contests than he has had fights in the company.
But time catches up with everyone and although Volkanovski may have more to give to the sport, it may not be enough at this stage to defeat someone as skilled and hungry as Lopes.
Tip 2 – Paddy Pimblett to win via Finish @ 17/20
Expect fireworks as Michael Chandler (23-9-0) and Paddy Pimblett (22-3-0) clash in the co-main event.
Chandler is a veteran of the fight game and a former Bellator champion who has made a big impression so far in the UFC.
Despite his 2-4 record inside the Octagon, the American has racked up an impressive five bonuses from six fights with his all-or-nothing style, which has seen highlight-reel wins over Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson.
The 38-year-old's defeats have all come at the top level to Charles Oliveira twice (TKO and sub), Justin Gaethje (dec) and Dustin Poirier (sub).
Oliveira has been a thorn in his side, losing a vacant title bout in 2021 by second-round submission before a unanimous decision defeat in a rematch last November.
Pimblett remains undefeated in the UFC and was last seen submitting veteran King Green at UFC 304 in Manchester last July.
It was a career-best win for the 30-year-old, whose ability has often been questioned due to his personality and large fanbase.
But Pimblett has passed most tests. A controversial win over Jared Gordon in late 2022 was a low point, with many pundits feeling he lost.
Wins over Tony Ferguson and the aforementioned Green have seen the Liverpool fighter move into the rankings.
Pimblett has four finishes from his six UFC wins with one TKO and three submissions, while Chandler's six UFC fights have seen two decision defeats, as well as two wins and losses by finish.
Interestingly, this one has been booked over five rounds, which may favour Chandler if we get that far. However, the momentum is with Pimblett, who can capitalise on the American's willingness to be reckless in the pursuit of victory.
Tip 3 – Sean Woodson to Win & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 4/6
Sean Woodson (13-1-1) steps up to face a ranked opponent in the form of the incredibly tough Dan Ige (18-9-0).
Woodson is on an unbeaten run that spans seven fights, with six wins and a draw.
The American has a 7-1-1 UFC record overall and was last seen in December dispatching Fernando Padilla by TKO in the first round.
The victory followed solid wins over Alex Caceres (UD), Charles Jourdain (split decision) and Dennis Buzukja (UD).
The 32-year-old has an unusual frame for the division, standing at 6"2, where he often has a considerable reach advantage over his opponents.
That is no different here, where Woodson has what could be a crucial seven-inch reach advantage over Ige, who stands at 5"7.
Ige has been around the top fifteen for some time, having faced a litany of current and former ranked opponents.
However, since 2023 he is 3-3 with victories against Andre Fili (R1 - TKO), Nate Landwehr (UD) and Damon Jackson (R2 - TKO).
The American is on a two-fight skid, losing to Lerone Murphy (UD) and Diego Lopes (UD), with Bryce Mitchell (UD) his other defeat in this run since the start of '23.
Ige has ten wins and eight losses in the UFC, with all of his defeats coming by the way of the judges' scorecards.
Woodson has transitioned well to MMA from his amateur boxing background and uses his frame well to control fights at range.
Ige will have to take risks here to land on Woodson, who could well pick his opponent off as the fight progresses and make his way into the top fifteen of the division.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change