Ilia Topuria vacates featherweight title, setting up Volkanovski vs. Lopes at UFC 314 for the vacant belt. Pimblett vs. Chandler and Rodriguez vs. Pitbull also feature.
UFC 314 is shaping up to be a significant event with major implications across multiple weight divisions. The card features a title fight for the vacant featherweight championship, along with other intriguing matchups.
Topuria’s Move to Lightweight
Dana White has announced that Ilia Topuria will vacate his UFC featherweight title to move up to the lightweight division. Topuria, who defeated Max Holloway at UFC 308, believes he has accomplished all he can at featherweight and his body can no longer make the weight limit. This decision opens up the featherweight division and creates potential matchups at lightweight.
Featherweight Title Fight: Volkanovski vs. Lopes
With Topuria vacating the title, Alexander Volkanovski will face Diego Lopes at UFC 314 for the vacant featherweight championship. Volkanovski, a former champion, looks to regain his title against the rising contender Lopes. The fight will determine the new champion in the 145lb division.
White’s Announcement and Topuria’s Future
Dana White revealed the news on social media, stating that Topuria felt he had cemented his legacy in the featherweight division. White also mentioned that the moment the first punch is thrown in the Volkanovski vs. Lopes fight, the featherweight title will be officially vacant. The announcement of Topuria’s next fight will come later.
Potential Makhachev Fight
Following White’s announcement, Ariel Helwani reported that a potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev is being discussed. This fight could take place as early as International Fight Week in June. Makhachev recently defeated Renato Moicano at UFC 311 and is looking for his next challenge. A fight between Topuria and Makhachev would be a significant event, pitting the featherweight contender against the lightweight champion.
UFC 314 Fight Card Highlights
Besides the featherweight title fight, UFC 314 features other notable matchups:
- Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett: A lightweight bout featuring the experienced Chandler against the rising star Pimblett.
- Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull: A featherweight contest where former interim champion Rodriguez welcomes Pitbull to the Octagon.
- Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates: A welterweight bout.
- Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes: A light heavyweight fight.
- Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson: A featherweight match.
- Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba: A strawweight fight.
- Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper: A lightweight bout.
Other Notable Fights
Other fights on the card include Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa at featherweight, Sedriques Dumas vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk at middleweight, Su Mudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo at flyweight, and Alberto Montes vs. Roberto Romero at featherweight.
Pimblett vs. Chandler
Paddy Pimblett is set to face Michael Chandler, marking Pimblett’s highest-profile fight to date. Pimblett is currently 6-0 in the UFC, with his most recent win being a first-round submission over King Green at UFC 304. Chandler, on the other hand, is 2-4 in his last six fights and needs a win to keep his championship aspirations alive.
Rodriguez vs. Pitbull
Yair Rodriguez will face Patricio Pitbull in another significant featherweight bout. Rodriguez is seeking his first win since January 2023, while Pitbull, considered one of the best featherweights outside of the UFC, is making his debut in the promotion.
Sources: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ufc/ufc-ilia-topuria-dana-white-islam-makhachev-b2701408.html
https://www.ufc.com/news/dana-white-announces-ufc-314-ufc-315-main-events-volkanovski-lopes-muhammad-della-maddalena
https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/02/20/ilia-topuria-officially-vacates-featherweight-title-with-islam-makhachev-clash-reportedly-in-the-works/