Volkanovski vs Lopes Prediction
🔊 The headline bout for the upcoming UFC 314 tournament, set to take place on April 13 in Miami, USA, is the showdown between Australia's Alexander Volkanovski and Brazil's Diego Lopes. This fight will be contested in the featherweight division. Alex is navigating a challenging phase in his career, having suffered two knockout losses and relinquished his championship title. In contrast, Lopes is on a remarkable five-fight winning streak, all achieved within just a year of competing in the UFC. Who will come out on top in this matchup? Let's delve into the details.
Alex Volkanovski Player Overview
The Australian athlete is a versatile fighter, with a background in wrestling and kickboxing. Having started as a professional rugby player, Alex transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2012. Quickly becoming a star on the local scene with a 14-1 record, Volkanovski was signed by the UFC. In Dana White's organization, the Australian continued his winning ways, dominating his division. Notable victories for "The Great" include a trilogy against Holloway, which Alex closed out 3-0, as well as wins over José Aldo, Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez, and others.
In February 2023, Volkanovski decided to move up to lightweight, where he faced off in a championship bout and lost by decision to Islam Makhachev. A rematch followed, but instead of an evenly matched fight, we witnessed a first-round knockout. Alex didn't take a break after the tough loss, choosing to accept the challenge from rising star Ilia Topuria, which proved to be a mistake. He suffered a second consecutive knockout defeat, losing the title he had defended for several years. "The Great" holds a career record of 26 wins and four losses.
Match Results: Alex Volkanovski
Diego Lopes Player Overview
The Brazilian fighter is primarily known for his grappling skills, yet his striking abilities are also highly refined. He embarked on his professional career back in 2012, making his debut with the promotion It’s Time Combat. Lopez joined the UFC ranks only in 2023, where he faced Movsar Evloev in his first bout. Despite losing by decision, Diego made a striking impression. Just three months later, he returned to the octagon to secure his first victory under the UFC banner. This was followed by two impressive first-round triumphs over Pat Sabatini and Sodiq Yusuff.
Initially, Lopez was slated to face Brian Ortega at UFC 303, but Ortega had to withdraw due to health issues. Consequently, Diego's opponent became Dan Ige, who accepted the fight on short notice. The bout proved challenging, but Lopez managed to secure a points victory. In his most recent fight, he finally got the chance to take on Ortega; Diego emerged victorious by decision. Currently, the Brazilian's professional record stands at 26 wins and 6 losses.
Match Results: Diego Lopes
Editor's Prediction
Both fighters boast impressive knockout records: Volkanovski has secured 61% of his victories without the judges' scorecards, while Lopez has achieved an even more remarkable 84%. Currently, Alex is on a two-fight losing streak, but before that, he knocked out Yair Rodriguez in the third round. Diego is also known for his dynamic performances, often finishing his fights before the final bell, which earned him a title shot faster than Evloev. Given this logic, we recommend betting on the fight not going the distance.
