UFC 314 picked up a slew of fights on Wednesday, none more important than the main event, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes, for the vacant UFC featherweight title. We look at how we got this surprising title fight and the opening betting odds for the UFC 314 main event.
In announcing Volkanovski vs. Lopes, UFC CEO Dana White said of the soon to be former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, "Topuria has felt like he's done all he can in that division, and he feels like he's cemented his legacy, and his body cannot make the weight anymore. So Topuria will be moving up to 155 pounds and will be vacating the featherweight title. ... As soon as the first punch is thrown in (Volkanovski vs. Lopes), the title is vacated. We will announce what Topuria's next fight will be when we get it done."
UFC 314 takes place on April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Volkanovski (26-4) is a former UFC featherweight champion. He held the title from December 2019 through February 2024, defending the belt five times over that time. His reign began with a unanimous decision win over Max Holloway and ended in a knockout loss to Topuria in February 2024.
During his run with the 145-pound belt, Volkanovski twice fought for the UFC lightweight belt, losing to Islam Makhachev in February and October 2023. Makhachev won the first meeting by decision. He followed that with a knockout victory.
Volkanovski has not stepped into the Octagon since his loss to Topuria. He is the No. 1 fighter in the official UFC featherweight rankings.
Lopes (26-6) is the No. 3 fighter in the UFC's 145-pound weight class. Lopes joined the UFC in May 2023, dropping his promotional debut to Movsar Evloev via decision. Since then, Lopes is unbeaten in five fights. His most recent victory was a UFC 306 decision win over two-time UFC title challenger Brian Ortega.
According to BetOnline, Volkanovski opened as the -151 betting favorite over Lopes, who opened as the +131 betting underdog.
Those odds have moved slightly in the hours since White announced the matchup. As of this writing, Volkanovski is listed at -170 and Lopes at +145.
"I'm feeling great, and I'm only going to get better from here, so that's a scary thing - especially for Lopes," Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. "I think Lopes is in for a very, very hard fight. He's a gamer. He's a great dude. I've got a lot of respect for him - very nice fella.
"I'm sure he's expecting to go out there and win the belt, but I'm sorry, mate. That ain't happening. Good on you for being in this position. (I'm) happy you're getting the opportunity to fight for the belt, but I'm still here. You ain't having it. Sorry, mate."
"I'm really looking forward to this one - very excited, excited to show everyone," Volkanovski added. "Obviously, people are like, 'Oh, he's old - he's done.' I hope people are thinking that. Everyone knows I love the underdog story. Everyone knows I love to prove people wrong.
"I still think a lot of people believe in me, and I'm going to go out there and look great, anyway. But, for those who don't, you have every right to think that until I change your opinion, and that's exactly what I'm going to do April 12."
"I have worked like no one else in recent years, I have accepted challenges and dares that the UFC has put in front of me, I have said yes in every situation, even when it was not favorable for me. In less than 2 years within the UFC I will have my opportunity for the title. I will not fail. Dream, believe and make it happen. #AndNew," Lopes wrote on social media.
We will have additional opening odds for the UFC 314 fight card as they become available and bouts get added to the upcoming fight card.