UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes – The Ultimate Showdown Preview
April 12, 2025 – Pay-Per-View Event Breakdown & Predictions
The UFC returns with another electrifying Pay-Per-View spectacle, UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes, set to ignite the Octagon on April 12, 2025. Headlined by a featherweight clash between the legendary Alexander Volkanovski and the surging contender Diego Lopes, this card promises fireworks from start to finish.
With championship implications, rising stars, and potential Fight of the Year candidates, UFC 314 is shaping up to be an unmissable event. In this in-depth preview, we break down every fight, analyze key matchups, and deliver bold predictions.
Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes – Featherweight War
The King vs. The Dark Horse
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski (26-4-0) needs no introduction. The former featherweight champion, known for his relentless pressure, elite fight IQ, and granite chin, looks to reclaim his throne after a series of hard-fought battles. Despite recent setbacks, Volk remains one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history.
Standing across from him is Diego Lopes (25-6-0), the Brazilian submission specialist who has taken the division by storm. With a lethal ground game and ever-improving striking, Lopes has rapidly climbed the rankings, finishing his last four opponents. A win over Volkanovski would catapult him into title contention.
Fight Breakdown
- Striking: Volkanovski holds a clear edge with his crisp boxing, leg kicks, and ability to control distance. Lopes, however, has shown knockout power in recent fights.
- Grappling: Lopes is a BJJ black belt with dangerous submissions, but Volkanovski’s wrestling and defensive grappling are elite.
- Cardio & Durability: Volk’s legendary gas tank could be the difference if this goes into deep waters.
Prediction: Volkanovski by unanimous decision in a five-round war.
Co-Main Event: Paulo Costa vs. Sean Strickland – Middleweight Grudge Match
Brazilian Power vs. American Chaos
After years of trash talk, Paulo “The Eraser” Costa (15-3-0) and Sean “Tarzan” Strickland (28-6-0) finally collide in what promises to be a violent, high-paced battle.
- Costa’s Path to Victory: Brutal body kicks and power punches to overwhelm Strickland early.
- Strickland’s Path to Victory: Volume striking, cardio, and relentless pressure to drown Costa in later rounds.
Prediction: Strickland by split decision in a bloody war.
Main Card Breakdown
1. Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Ricky Simón – Bantamweight Showdown
The 19-year-old phenom Raul Rosas Jr. (10-1-0) faces his toughest test yet in Ricky Simón (21-4-0), a grinding wrestler with heavy hands.
- Key Factor: Can Rosas Jr.’s submission game overcome Simón’s top control?
- Prediction: Rosas Jr. by submission in Round 2.
2. Maycee Barber vs. Natalia Silva – Flyweight Title Eliminator
Two of the division’s most explosive strikers collide, with the winner likely earning a title shot.
- Prediction: Silva by TKO in Round 3.
3. Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano – Lightweight Battle
A classic striker vs. grappler matchup with major implications at 155 lbs.
- Prediction: Turner by KO in Round 1.
Prelim Highlights
- Joanne Wood vs. Tracy Cortez – A potential retirement fight for Wood.
- Uros Medic vs. Natan Levy – Fireworks guaranteed in this striker’s duel.
- Jake Hadley vs. Charles Johnson – Flyweight grappling chess match.
Final Thoughts & Betting Picks
UFC 314 is stacked with must-see fights, from the high-stakes main event to the undercard bangers. Here are our best bets:
- Volkanovski by Decision (+150)
- Strickland vs. Costa Goes Distance (-120)
- Rosas Jr. Submission (+200)
Don’t miss UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes – Live on PPV this Saturday, April 12, 2025!
Will Volkanovski prove he’s still elite? Can Lopes shock the world? Tune in to find out!
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?