Best Underdogs on UFC 314
UFC 314 is shaping up to be one of the most electrifying cards of the year, and there’s no better stage for the action than the vibrant fight city of Miami. With a lineup stacked from top to bottom, this event brings together a mix of seasoned champions, hungry contenders, and breakout prospects all ready to leave it all in the Octagon. The energy surrounding this card is unmatched, and you can feel the intensity from every fighter on the roster. With so much talent and ambition packed into one night, don’t be surprised when a few bold underdogs rise to the occasion and flip the script. In a city known for its heat, expect some serious fireworks. Here are a few fighters that could cash big as live dogs at UFC 314.
One of the most intriguing underdogs on the UFC 314 card is longtime MMA veteran Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, who steps into the Octagon for the first time with an impressive 36-7 record. At 37 years old, Pitbull may be past his physical prime, but his grit, fight IQ, and finishing ability are as sharp as ever—evident in his perfectly balanced tally of 12 submission wins, 12 knockouts, and 12 decision victories. He’s never been one to back down from a challenge, and while Yair Rodriguez represents a significant step up in competition, he’s also a fighter known to wilt under relentless pressure. That’s exactly what Pitbull brings every time he fights. If he can close the distance and make it ugly, a knockout upset is well within reach. At +180, there’s serious value in backing the UFC debutant to make a statement.
Another underdog flying under the radar is Bryce Mitchell, coming in at +211 against the surging Jean Silva. While Silva has been on a tear lately, he’s never faced a grappler as relentless and skilled as Mitchell. Bryce has a proven ability to ground dynamic strikers, and Silva’s shaky takedown defense—especially against fighters like Charles Jourdain—could be his downfall here. Mitchell’s wrestling pressure and control should be enough to neutralize Silva’s offense and grind out a decision win. Don’t be shocked when this upset hits.
In the co-main event, Michael Chandler enters as a +130 underdog against the undefeated-in-the-UFC Paddy Pimblett. While Chandler is just 1-4 in his last five, it’s important to remember he’s only faced elite competition—names like Gaethje, Poirier, and Oliveira. Meanwhile, Pimblett is 5-0 in the UFC but hasn’t faced anyone near Chandler’s level. The fact that this is a five-round fight plays in Chandler’s favor; he’s known for explosive starts but also has the endurance to keep pushing when others fade. If he can drag Pimblett into deep waters and force him into a gritty battle, Chandler has all the tools to grind out a hard-fought decision. In what’s sure to be a thrilling co-main, don’t be surprised when Chandler pulls off the upset and hands Paddy his first UFC loss.
