Gearing up to take Miami, Florida by storm with another blockbuster event, the UFC brings to the table a marquee matchup in the featherweight class between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the undisputed title at UFC 314. Also, English MMA star Paddy Pimblett puts his eight-fight winning streak on the line in a pivotal lightweight matchup with Michael Chandler.
Main Event
Coming back from a much deserved year-long layoff, Volkanovski will contend for the championship he lost previously in brutal fashion to former 145-lb apex, Ilia Topuria last February. Now faced with another strong, young contender, “The Great” will look to prove that he still has what it takes to count himself amongst the best fighters in the world.
Winner of five in a row, Lopes has catapulted himself into title contention with stellar victories over Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige and Brian Ortega. Now just one punch away from the greatest prize in combat sport, the Brazilian must overcome arguably the top featherweight fighter of all time in order to cement his place as a pound-for-pound staple.
A new featherweight king will be crowned at UFC 314.
Co-Main Event
Undefeated since 2018, Pimblett has become a world-wide sensation during his tenure in the UFC, toppling some of the most seasoned names at 155-lb like Jared Gordon, Tony Ferguson and King Green. Should he manage to bring down an experienced former champion such as Chandler, the path toward the title may decrease in length significantly for “The Baddy.”
From his days as the face of Bellator, to instantly becoming a hit in the UFC with a phenomenal debut against Dan Hooker, Chandler is without a doubt a highly-popular figure in the sport. In the midst of a two-bout losing skid, a triumph is all the more necessary for “Iron” in order to keep his fleeting title aspirations alive.
Expect to see a new lightweight in the title picture after UFC 314.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Rounding out the main card, previous featherweight interim king Yair Rodríguez welcomes MMA icon Patrício Pitbull to the promotion. Then, Jean Silva and Bryce Mitchell finally square off in their much-anticipated grudge match. Finally, two-time 205-lb championship contender Dominick Reyes comes to blows with reputable finisher Nikita Krylov.
UFC 314 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 314 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL 2 (2025):
- Hank Strandberg: 20-53
- Frazer Krohn: 15-43
- Jeremy Brand: 13-54
- Drew Zuhosky: 13-60
- Andrew Benjamin: 10-40
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
UFC 314 Staff Picks
Nikita Krylov -180
Vs.
Dominick Reyes +150
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Krylov by second round KO/TKO
Drew Zuhosky: Reyes by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Krylov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Krylov: 2
Staff picking Reyes: 1
Jean Silva -218
Vs.
Bryce Mitchell +180
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Silva by third round KO/TKO
Drew Zuhosky: Mitchell by first round KO/TKO
Frazer Kron: Silva by second round KO/TKO
Staff picking Silva: 2
Staff picking Mitchell: 1
Yair Rodríguez -198
Vs.
Patrício Pitbull +160
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Rodríguez by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Pitbull by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Rodríguez by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Rodríguez: 2
Staff picking Pitbull: 1
Paddy Pimblett -148
Vs.
Michael Chandler +124
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Pimblett by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Pimblett by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Pimblett by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pimblett: 3
Staff picking Chandler: 0
Alexander Volkanovski -142
Vs.
Diego Lopes +120
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Volkanovski by fifth round KO/TKO
Staff picking Volkanovski: 3
Staff picking Lopes: 0
