How Diego Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski Can Secure A Win at UFC 314
With Ilia Topuria vacating his featherweight belt to move up to the lightweight division, UFC 314 will feature a clash between Alexander Volkanovski, the number one contender, and Diego Lopes, the number three contender. Fans are excited as they look forward to seeing who will be crowned the new UFC featherweight champion. This is a compelling matchup between a seasoned veteran, widely regarded as the featherweight “GOAT” and a fast-rising star riding a five-fight win streak. However, the real question is: what do each of these fighters need to do to walk away with the belt?
Alexander Volkanovski: Bounce Back or Bust?
The 36-year-old Volkanovski is coming off back-to-back knockout losses, but after a long layoff, he appears to be in phenomenal shape. In recent interviews, he's made it clear: he cannot afford to lose this fight. Volk brings one of the most well-rounded games in MMA. He has elite cardio, strong wrestling, and crisp striking but standing five inches shorter than Lopes, he'll need to fight smart. Closing the distance is key. Whether it’s working in the clinch or pressing for takedowns, Volk has to get inside and stay out of kickboxing range, where Lopes is most dangerous.
Durability is also a concern. After suffering two straight knockouts, questions remain about how well Volkanovski can absorb punishment. Lopes, who has shown real knockout power,especially with his sharp kickboxing will likely test that chin early. Volk’s guard must be tight, particularly up top, to avoid the kind of clean head shots that dropped him against Islam Makhachev, who shares a similar build to Lopes.
Diego Lopes: Time to Shine
Diego Lopes isn’t just on a hot streak, he’s evolving with every performance, and against someone like Volkanovski, he'll need to be at his absolute best. Although Volk may look to wrestle, Lopes has shown solid takedown defense and slick grappling of his own. However, trying to take down the stocky and explosive Volkanovski could be risky and energy-draining. Lopes would be better served controlling range with his length, using kicks to the legs and body to chip away at Volk while staying patient on the outside. One of his biggest keys to victory will be pacing. Volkanovski has fought in numerous five-round wars and has a proven gas tank. Lopes can’t afford to burn out early with flashy combinations or over-committing on big shots. If he’s gassed by round three, Volk could take over and drown him in pressure which could ultimately end the fight.
Conclusion: Styles Make Fights
This is a high-stakes, stylistically fascinating matchup. Lopes’s path to victory lies in keeping the fight standing, using his reach and kicks to break Volkanovski down over time, and looking for openings to land something big. For Volk, success means turning this into a gritty, close-quarters battle by mixing in takedowns, staying in the pocket, and dragging Lopes into deep waters where championship experience can take over. No matter who wins, this fight will help define the next chapter of the featherweight division, and possibly the legacy of both men.
