Alexander Volkanovski v Diego Lopes UFC 314 preview & picks

Alexander Volkanovski will look to earn his belt back when he faces Diego Lopes in Miami for the headline UFC 314 fight. See the top picks and preview here.

Sports Betting Tips

by Cayne Pitstock

April 10, 2025 0

Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes: UFC 314 Odds & Main Event Info
Main Event odds	Volkanovski -121.95 at Nags.bet \| Lopes +100 at Nags.bet
When	Saturday, April 12 – main card from 10pm EST
Where	Kaseya Center – Miami, USA

Former champion Alexander Volkanovski returns to featherweight at UFC 314 with redemption on his mind, aiming to reclaim the 145-pound crown after back-to-back knockout losses. Standing in his way is Brazil’s Diego Lopes, a surging star on a five-fight win streak, hungry for gold and ready to test himself against one of the division’s greatest.

Volkanovski enters the Miami showdown as a narrow favorite with the top UFC sportsbooks, but concerns over his durability and recent form have punters divided. With the vacant belt on the line and both fighters boasting identical 26-fight win tallies, this is a must-watch clash that could reshape the future of the featherweight division.

Volkanovski v Lopes main event preview

Alex Volkanovski

MMA Record 26-4-0
Age 36
Height 5’6”
Weight 145lbs
Reach 71.5”
Nationality Australia

Diego Lopes

MMA Record 26-6-0
Age 30
Height 5’11”
Weight 145lbs
Reach 72.5”
Nationality Brazil

Alexander Volkanovski (26-4-0) is battle-tested and boasts one of the best fight IQs in MMA. His recent losses came against elite lightweight Islam Makhachev and current champ Ilia Topuria, but the former title-holder’s featherweight dominance still looms large. Expect him to lean on his superior cardio, tight boxing, and championship composure over five rounds.

Volkanovski’s ability to dictate pace, maintain control in the clinch, and chip away at opponents is unrivaled in the division. If he survives the early power of Lopes, this bout has all the ingredients for a classic grind-it-out win.

Diego Lopes (26-6-0) has turned heads since nearly stunning Movsar Evloev on debut. A slick submission threat with sneaky power, Lopes has rattled off five straight wins, including notable scalps like Dan Ige and Brian Ortega. He’s long, rangy, and thrives in chaos — a dangerous mix for any aging legend coming off KO defeats.

Still, Lopes has never fought past the third round and this will be his first five-round main event. If he can’t get Volkanovski out early, the tide may turn swiftly.

Volkanovski v Lopes UFC 314 prediction

The early rounds are the danger zone for Volkanovski, but if he can avoid Lopes’ flurries, his class will shine through. This matchup favors ‘Volk’ the longer it goes, and his proven ability to rally late could prove decisive. Take Alex ‘The Great’ Volkanovski to win by decision with the top online betting sites.