UFC 314 LIVE: Volkanovski beats Lopes after Pimblett defeats Chandler (2026)

Paddy Pimblett has his sights firmly set on the top of the UFC lightweight division after his stunning victory over Michael Chandler.

‘Paddy the Baddy’ was in ferocious form to totally dismantle the former Bellator world champion in Saturday night’s huge co-main event at UFC 314 in Miami, dominating Chandler, who was busted open and bleeding badly before the referee waved off a one-sided fight in the third round

It was a significant career-best win for Pimblett as he passed what was supposed to be comfortably his toughest test in MMA to date against a top-level opponent with flying colours, winning a ninth fight in a row and maintaining his unbeaten UFC record with a seventh consecutive triumph inside the octagon.

48-47, 49-46, 49-46 - all in favour of Alexander Volkanovski, who wins by unanimous decision to deservedly claim the vacant men’s UFC featherweight title.

He is back on top at 145lbs. What a comeback!

Here come those all-important scores.

Both men think they have got this.

Or is it mere bravado from Lopes, who didn’t do enough?

A captivating final round to finish a fantastic, competitive title fight.

Both men had success in that last five minutes, but surely Volk has done enough here despite Lopes also raising his hand.

We await the judges’ scorecards, but I’d be stunned if we weren’t about to see the popular Australian regain the belt he held for more than four years before being bested by Ilia Topuria last year.

Volk looks to be in survival mode all of a sudden after being rocked by a thunderous uppercut blow midway through the fourth.

There’s blood smeared all over his face as Lopes tries to jump on him, but somehow the former champion is still managing to counter well enough to keep him at bay.

No doubt that was Lopes’ round! But was it his first of the night? The second was very, very close.

Five minutes to go. Are we in for a huge finish?

Lopes is just not doing enough here, plain and simple.

He’s thrown out some good kicks, but he really needs to up the tempo and quickly impose himself on Volk, who is still landing the better strikes.

He’s not having much success with those takedown attempts and has taken one or two big shots, but I’d still have Volk 3-0 up.

This is vintage stuff from Volk, he looks sharper, stronger and better prepared.

A short left hook buzzes Lopes, who staggers backwards towards the cage and slams his back against the post.

But there’s an awkward bleeding cut on the right cheek of the Australian, who is dropped by a stinging right hand late in the second round.

Lopes wants to drive home the advantage but doesn’t have the time.

Was that enough to take the round away from Volk? Probably not.

Volk is looking good early on here, rocking Lopes twice with his striking power.

A surprisingly tentative start from Lopes, who is now taken down with a minute left in the first round.

His defence is strong, bur Volk continues to thunder in some heavy shots.

Now Lopes is down on his back and there are more massive strikes raining down from the former champion.

What a start from Volkanovski!

Here we go!

Is Alexander Volkanovski primed for a second world title reign at featherweight?

He’s the underdog against in-form Brazilian Diego Lopes...

Right, time for the main event of the night at UFC 314 in Miami!

The men’s featherweight title recently vacated by Ilia Topuria is up for grabs next as former long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski meets Brazil’s Diego Lopes.