Bradley’s UFC 314 Picks & Predictions

UFC 314 is set to deliver one of the most action-packed cards of the year, and the electric city of Miami is the perfect backdrop for all the chaos. From rising stars to seasoned veterans, this event is loaded with talent across every fight. Fan favorites like Patricio Pitbull, Yair Rodriguez, Bryce Mitchell, Jean Silva, Michael Chandler, and Paddy Pimblett are all set to throw down, each bringing their style and intensity to the Octagon. To top it all off, a thrilling main event between featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski and surging contender Diego Lopes promises high-level violence. With so many dynamic matchups, UFC 314 is guaranteed fireworks from start to finish. Buckle up—this one’s going to be special.

Cornolle vs. Cowan

Kicking off the card is a women’s bantamweight bout between Nora Cornolle and Hailey Cowan, and it’s a spot where the favorite deserves some serious respect. Cornolle has already proven she belongs at the UFC level, showcasing crisp technical striking and a composed fight IQ. In contrast, Cowan has struggled to find her footing—even outside the promotion—often coming up short against more polished, technical opponents. This stylistic matchup favors Cornolle, who should be able to pick Cowan apart on the feet and control the pace from bell to bell. Expect a clear decision win for Cornolle as she continues to build momentum in the division.

Cornolle Decision 

Gore vs. Tulio

Up next is a middleweight clash between Tresean Gore and Marco Tulio, and this one looks like a tough night ahead for Gore. While Gore may be riding a winning streak, those victories came against fighters who are no longer on the UFC roster—raising questions about the level of competition he’s been facing. On the other side, Marco Tulio enters as a strong favorite for good reason. Boasting a 13-1 record with four knockouts in his last five wins, Tulio has serious power and momentum on his side. Given Gore’s history of durability issues and Tulio’s finishing ability, a knockout win for the Brazilian seems highly likely.

Tulio KO

Sumudaerji vs. Raposo

In what could be one of the most tightly contested matchups on the card, Sumudaerji takes on Mitch Raposo in a flyweight showdown. On paper, Sumudaerji may seem like the more proven fighter, but he hasn’t secured a win in over four years—a major red flag when facing a hungry prospect like Raposo. Despite coming off a razor-close loss to rising talent Andre Lima, Raposo showed composure, solid fundamentals, and an ability to stick to a smart game plan. If he can stay technical and avoid getting drawn into a brawl, he has a real shot at edging out Sumudaerji on the scorecards. This one’s a sleeper pick, but I’m leaning toward Raposo to pull off a close decision win.

Raposo Decision 

Dumas vs. Oleksiejczuk

In a pivotal middleweight bout, Sedriques Dumas faces off against seasoned striker Michal Oleksiejczuk. Dumas comes in with a 3-1 record in his last four, with his lone loss clouded by controversy due to eye pokes—but it’s worth noting that his wins have come against lower-level competition. Michal, on the other hand, maybe 1-3 in his last four, but those losses came against top-tier opposition, and he’s shown far more polish and power in his performances. This fight feels like a litmus test for Dumas to prove he belongs, but with his raw technique and questionable striking defense, Oleksiejczuk is in prime position to land something big. I’m expecting a statement knockout win from Michal to remind fans he’s still a threat in the division.

Oleksiejzcuk KO 

Elkins vs. Erosa

In a veteran matchup, Darren Elkins takes on Julian Erosa in what should be a thrilling featherweight contest. Elkins, known for his relentless work ethic and never-say-die attitude, comes off two hard-earned wins, but at 41 years old, he’s beginning to show signs of slowing down, especially when facing top-level competition. His durability and cardio have been questioned in bouts against ranked fighters, and Erosa, who’s over five years younger, looks like a fighter on the rise. Erosa has proven to be a dangerous threat on the ground, with his submission skills being a key factor in his recent wins. Given Elkins’ struggles with grapplers, I see Erosa finding a submission and securing a dominant victory here.

Erosa Sub 

Hooper vs. Miller

In a matchup between two grappling specialists, Chase Hooper faces off against the veteran Jim Miller, and this looks to be one of the more straightforward picks on the card. Miller, who’s set to turn 42, is undeniably tough, but at this stage in his career, he’s starting to show his age. On the flip side, Hooper, who’s more than a decade younger, comes into this fight on a four-fight win streak and has been improving steadily. Hooper’s technical skills across the board, particularly on the ground, make him a nightmare for any opponent. Given Miller’s age and Hooper’s well-rounded grappling game, I expect Hooper to secure a dominant submission win without too much trouble.

Hooper Sub 

Jandiroba vs. Yan

Up next is a strawweight clash between Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba, and it’s a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Yan is a powerful and well-rounded force in the division, but she’s shown vulnerability when taken down and controlled by high-level grapplers. That’s exactly where Jandiroba thrives—her elite jiu-jitsu and smothering top control allow her to dictate the pace, even if it’s not the most entertaining style. She’s more than willing to grind out a win, and this matchup sets up perfectly for her to do just that. If Jandiroba can get the fight to the mat early and often, a methodical decision victory feels like the most likely outcome.

Janiroba Decision

Ige vs. Woodson

In a high-level featherweight showdown, Dan Ige takes on Sean Woodson in what promises to be a technical battle. Ige is a proven veteran with a reputation for toughness and grit, and he tends to thrive in wild, chaotic fights where he can turn up the pressure. However, Woodson brings a very different kind of challenge—he’s long, calculated, and prefers to keep things clean with sharp boxing and smart movement. This stylistic clash favors Woodson if he can avoid getting drawn into a brawl and stay disciplined. As long as he doesn’t get clipped by one of Ige’s big shots, Woodson has the tools to edge out a close decision win on the scorecards.

Woodson Decision 

Krylov vs. Reyes

In what could easily steal Fight of the Night honors, Nikita Krylov returns after a two-year layoff to face the resurging Dominick Reyes. Reyes has looked revitalized lately, riding a two-fight win streak and showing flashes of the form that once took him to a title shot. Krylov, despite the long absence, enters on a three-fight win streak of his own and brings a well-rounded, technical style that’s built for gritty, drawn-out battles. This one is bound to be a close war, with Krylov likely mixing in his grappling and Reyes hunting for clean striking exchanges. In the end, Reyes’ ability to land the more damaging shots could be the difference-maker. I’m leaning toward Reyes by a narrow decision in a potential barn burner.

Reyes Decision 

Rodriguez vs. Pitbull

In a thrilling featherweight bout, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire makes his long-awaited UFC debut against dynamic striker Yair Rodriguez. While Yair enters as the favorite—and rightfully so given his flashy striking and UFC pedigree—Pitbull is no stranger to elite competition. With an incredibly balanced record of 12 submissions, 12 knockouts, and 12 decision wins, he’s one of the most well-rounded and experienced fighters outside the UFC. Pitbull is expected to come out fast, applying relentless pressure with crisp strikes and well-timed takedowns. If he can drag Yair into a gritty, high-paced fight, it could break the Mexican standout’s rhythm. I see Pitbull overwhelming Yair and finishing him with ground-and-pound for a statement-making KO in his debut.

Pitbull KO 

Mitchell vs. Silva

Up next is a clash of styles between the surging Jean Silva and the relentless grappler Bryce Mitchell. Silva has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his fearless mentality and devastating knockout power, making him one of the most dangerous strikers in the division. However, Mitchell presents a completely different challenge—his grappling-heavy style and ability to control elite strikers on the ground have led him to success in the past. While concerns remain after his brutal knockout loss just two fights ago, Mitchell has shown he can bounce back and stick to his strengths. If he can avoid the early danger and implement his wrestling game, I see Mitchell grinding out a hard-fought decision win over the red-hot Silva.

Mitchell Decision

Chandler vs. Pimblett

In the co-main event, fan favorite Michael Chandler takes on the undefeated-in-the-UFC Paddy Pimblett in a high-stakes lightweight showdown. While Chandler's 1-4 record in his last five fights may raise eyebrows, each of those losses came against elite competition, and he’s remained dangerous in everyone. Pimblett brings a well-rounded, technical game and undeniable confidence, but he hasn’t faced anyone quite like Chandler. The relentless pressure, explosive power, and five-round experience Chandler brings could wear on Paddy as the fight drags into deeper waters. It won’t be easy, but Chandler’s toughness and intensity give him the edge here. Expect a close, gritty battle with Chandler pulling away late for either a decision win or a late finish.

Chandler Decision 

Volkanovski vs. Lopes

In the main event of UFC 314, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends his title against the red-hot Diego Lopes in a clash of momentum versus experience. Lopes has been electric as of late, delivering wild finishes and riding a wave of hype, but Volkanovski is a different beast entirely. The longtime champ knows exactly how to navigate five-round fights and has built a career on breaking opponents down with relentless pressure, sharp striking, and elite fight IQ. While Lopes is dangerous early, if he can’t get the finish quickly, it’s hard to see him outlasting Volk over 25 minutes. Volkanovski may be getting older, but with a full camp and time to make adjustments, he should be able to control the fight and earn a clear decision victory.

Volk Decision