UFC 314: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

On April 12th UFC 314 took place in Miami, Florida at the Kaseya Center. After five grueling rounds, the fight went to a decision, where Alexander Volvanoski claimed the crown. 
​by Justin Andrio and Makayla Bryson

Prelims: *via MMA Knockout*
The Prelims Started at 8pm EST with the following bouts listed below:

• Julian Erosa Def Darren Elkins via KO in the first round
• Chase Hooper Def Jim Miller By Decision
• Virna Jandiroba Def Yan Xiaonan by Decision
• Dan Ige Def Sean Woodson via KO in the third round

The Best Fight of the Prelims was Dan Ige coming into the fight as an underdog and knocking out Sean Woodson in the third round. The KO was electric with the hype of this fight at an all time high for Dan.  

The most surprising outcome of the prelims was the women's bout when number one ranked Yan got dominated on the ground by number three ranked Virna.

(Yahoo Sports)

Main Card: *via UFC*
The Main card started 10pm, the following bouts listed bellow:

• Dominick Reyes Def Nikita Krylov via a Vicious KO in the first round
• Jean Silva Def Bryce Mitchell via Submission (Ninja Choke)
• Yair Rodriguez Def Patricio Pitbull by way of Decision
• Paddy (The Baddy) Pimblett Def Michael Chandler in the Co-Main event By KO in the third round Paddy dominated this fight not only standing up but on the Mat too, this is where most of his significant strikes came from 

The Best fight out of these four was definitely the co-main event. There was dominance by both fighters, mainly by Paddy Pimblett in the second and third round, but for Michael Chandler, he held his own on the mat in the first round, holding significant time on the ground for about 2 minutes and 44 seconds

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(Miami Herald)

Main Event:  *via UFC*
Leading up to the main event, the former UFC Featherweight Champion was Ilia Tuporia. The number two ranked Pound for Pound fighter in the world successfully beat Alexander Volkanovski in their bout by way of KO to win the belt. He went on to successfully defend the belt beating Max Holloway by way of KO at UFC 308. 

Ilia then gets the opportunity to move up a weight class, but has to vacate the Featherweight title. But for him, that was an easy decision. He then moved up a weight class, vacating the belt and now we are here at UFC 314 Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopez.

At the start of the fight Volkanovski was dominant, dazing Lopez during the middle of the round and hitting a lot of significant strikes to wear him down. During the second round we saw Volkanovski slow down but keep a good pace to wear Lopez down and hurt him, but when we all thought Lopez was out of the fight with 12 seconds left Lopez hit Volk with a right hook and dropped him with a couple seconds left in the round. 

Volk got out of the round safely but he knew he had to lock in to finish this fight and take home the title. Coming up on the third round Volk was dominant. He had taken Lopez to the mat and was getting some decent strikes on him, cutting his right eye open and starting to make him bleed, The round then ends and the referee Marc Goddard calls in the doctor to come check out Lopez’s eye which was bleeding severely at the time, but the doctor was able to stop the bleeding and let him continue the fight. In the fourth round Lopez started to get fired up and put on a show. We see him hit a bunch of combos and win this round while at it.

And finally the final round: Volk started off strong landing a couple times but stayed more on the defensive side because he thought he had won it if he could defend. Lopez came out during the end of this round with about 30 seconds left- he got some big shots in and told Volk to meet him at the center of the Octagon.

The fight then ends and we will go to a decision, Judge Derek Cleary scored the bout 48-47 in favor of Volkanovski, Judge Sal D’Amato scored the bout 49-46 in favor of Volkanovski, and finally Judge Chris Lee scored the bout 49-46 in favor of Volkanovski, and the winner by Unanimous decision, the New Featherweight Champion of the World: Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski.


Come watch the next UFC pay per view UFC 315 on May 10th, Muhammad V Della Maddalena.

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