Welcome to the live blog coverage of the highly anticipated UFC 314 featherweight championship main event. Tonight, Alexander Volkanovski faces off against Diego Lopes at the Kaseya Center in Miami for the coveted title.
This featherweight title is up for grabs after former champion Ilia Topuria announced his intention to move to the lightweight division, leaving the belt vacant.
According to global MMA rankings, Alexander Volkanovski is currently ranked No. 2, with Diego Lopes close behind at No. 5. Volkanovski also holds the No. 13 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Volkanovski is aiming to reclaim the championship and become a two-time titleholder after losing his belt to Ilia Topuria via knockout in February 2024. Despite the time off potentially benefiting the 36-year-old veteran, history is not on his side, as no fighter has ever captured an undisputed UFC title after suffering two consecutive losses. His previous loss was also a knockout against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
However, if anyone can defy the odds, it`s Volkanovski. He has already established himself as one of the greatest featherweights in history, successfully defending his UFC title five times between 2020 and 2023. His impressive record includes victories over legendary fighters such as Max Holloway (three times), Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, Chan Sung Jung, Jose Aldo, and Chad Mendes.
While Diego Lopes may not have the same level of accolades, the 30-year-old brings youth and unwavering confidence to the octagon. Since his debut as a short-notice replacement, where he put up a strong fight against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev, Lopes has secured five straight wins, establishing himself as a compelling title challenger. He has the opportunity to solidify his status as a star with a dominant performance against Volkanovski tonight.
Stay tuned to this live blog for round-by-round updates and analysis of the Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes fight at UFC 314.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham