Saturday, April 12 will see the UFC’s Octagon land at the Kaseya Center as former 145-pound champion and the greatest featherweight champ in UFC history Alexander Volkanovski returns in a bid to become a two-time featherweight champion.
Standing in his way is surging Brazilian contender Diego Lopes, who has looked outstanding since his arrival in the UFC two years ago. And, in one of the biggest success stories for an up-and-coming fighter in recent history, Lopes has the chance to complete his journey to the top by defeating a legend and claiming the vacant featherweight crown.
Also set for action is an explosive lightweight collision between two of the biggest characters in the UFC’s 155-pound class. Former Bellator champion Michael Chandler only takes big fights, and the all-gas, no brakes contender always brings a fan-friendly fight.
His dance partner certainly knows how to entertain the fans, too. Liverpudlian lightweight star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett has wowed crowds in Europe in Cage Warriors, where he became the promotion’s featherweight champion. Now competing at lightweight, and seemingly improving with every fight, Pimblett has climbed the lightweight ranks and wants to swap his hot prospect tag for contender status by defeating the former lightweight title challenger in Miami.
There’s also a highly-strung featherweight clash between the controversial Bryce Mitchell and in-form Brazilian Jean Silva, while featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez welcomes Bellator legend and former two-division champion Patricio Pitbull to the UFC. Plus, light heavyweight veterans collide as Nikita Krylov and former title challenger Dominick Reyes do battle.
On The RDX Sports Podcast this week…
On this episode of the RDX Sports Podcast, editor-in-chief Simon Head sets the table for a huge night of fights as he runs through the top of the fight card and offers his early take on the big matches on UFC 314’s main card.
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