It’s been a while but I figured I’d flex the ‘ol MMA writing chops for one of the most exciting cards of the year so far – at least on paper. UFC 314 should be one heck of a show.
After Ilia Topuria vacated the UFC Featherweight title to move up to 155, we’ve got a championship on the line between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. We’ve got an incredibly exciting fight between a hyped prospect in Paddy Pimblett and an explosive vet in Michael Chandler. We’ve got the debut of Patricio Pitbull against the always-entertaining Yair Rodriguez and so much more.
Let’s dive into the card starting with some quick picks for the prelims on Saturday night.
UFC 314 Early Prelim Quick Picks – 5:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+
Nora Cornolle over Hailey Cowan Via Decision
Marco Tulio over Tresean Gore via KO/TKO
Mitch Raposo over Su Mudaerji via Decision
Poland’s Own 🇵🇱 #UFC314
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 10, 2025
Michal Oleksiejczuk bringing that Polish Power on Saturday night! pic.twitter.com/M43XiS5K98
Michal Oleksiejczuk over Sedriques Dumas via KO/TKO
UFC 314 ESPN Prelims Quick Picks – 7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN/ESPN+
Julian Erosa over Darren Elkins via KO/TKO
Chase Hooper over Jim Miller via Submission
Virna Jandiroba over Yan Xiaonan via Decsion
Dan Ige over Sean Woodson via KO/TKO
UFC 314 Main Card Predictions – 9:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+ PPV
Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
After a rough stretch with four straight losses including three straight via KO or TKO, Dominick Reyes got back in the win column in 2024 thanks to a pair of knockout wins over Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith. He faces a dangerous striker at UFC 314 in Nikita Krylov.
Krylov has been away from the UFC Octagon for over two years now, though he did have a scheduled fight with Azamat Murzakanov canceled due to no fault of his own. Prior to the layoff, Krylov rattled off three straight wins against Alexander Gustafsson, Volkan Oezdemir, and Ryan Spann.
He ends his fights FAST! ⏰
— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2025
Nikita Krylov has 6 first round finishes in the UFC and is going for another on Saturday night!
[ #UFC314 | 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/ef8ldPh9IF
If Krylov has a weakness, it is his ground game – something Domick Reyes would be smart to try and take advantage of. He’s taken steps to improve that area but he’s still susceptible to the takedowns. A more likely scenario in my mind is that this bout turns into a striking contest. In spite of the potential for rust after time away from the cage, I think Krylov has both the technical and durability edge on the feet.
Prediction: Nikita Krylov over Dominick Reyes via KO/TKO
Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
This is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Mitchell wants to get Silva down and hunt for the submission. Silva wants to take Mitchell’s head off with strikes.
Whoever can keep this fight where they want it to take place will win the bout. In this case, I think Silva will be able to fend off the takedowns and land a thunderous punch with his fight-ending power putting Mitchell out early.
He wants to always put on a show 🤩@JeanSilvaMMA96 is looking to extend his 4 fight finish streak inside the Octagon! 👊
— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2025
[ #UFC314 | SAT 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/93xUgncKCM
Don’t blink during this one. With any luck, we’ll also never hear Bryce Mitchell on a mic again.
Prediction: Jean Silva over Bryce Mitchell via KO/TKO
Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
This is a bittersweet fight for me. I am so excited to finally see Patricio Pitbull in the Octagon after all this time. During his run in Bellator, I think he was possibly the best fighter outside of the UFC at the time. Having him in the mix against Volk and Holloway would have been awesome. Unfortunately, I think his UFC debut is coming a bit too late at 37 years old.
NEVER DOUBT A GOAT! 🐐#AndStill Featherweight World Champion PATRICIO PITBULL! 🇧🇷#BellatorBelfast LIVE NOW
— PFL (@PFLMMA) March 22, 2024
🇺🇸 Max
🌎 https://t.co/IDJcMOodNs pic.twitter.com/zilGSTGVGC
Things won’t be easy in his debut either as he gets the incredibly entertaining Yair Rodriguez, a dangerous striker with some of the best highlight finishes in the UFC. Rodriguez isn’t a slouch on the ground either, possessing a great grappling game, even off of his back.
It’s tough to get a read on this one as neither fighter has been active in over a year and I don’t know what version of either Patricio or Yair we’re going to get. I lean towards Yair just because of the age factor and how quickly things can change in this sport but I’m excited to see Patricio Pitbull finally competing in the UFC.
Prediction: Yair Rodriguez over Patricio Pitbull via Decision
Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Extremely interesting fight here as you have the extremely explosive Michael Chandler up against one of the most hyped prospects in the UFC in Paddy Pimblett. This is far and away the biggest test of Pimblett’s career in the UFC as Chandler’s only losses in the promotion have come against the best of the best.
Pimblett will want to get this fight to the ground as quickly as possible to avoid the damage of Chandler detonating a strike on his jaw. Chandler has a wrestling pedigree that could very well stuff the takedown attempts from Pimblett.
I think this is a terrible stylistic matchup for Paddy the Baddy.
Can Paddy Pimblett defeat the grizzled veteran Michael Chandler? 👀#UFC314 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/4xDslBJ1uX
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 10, 2025
Chandler lands early and often while sprawling as Paddy searches for the takedown. I think Chandler finishes Pimblett early and derails the hype train.
Prediction: Michael Chandler over Paddy Pimblett via KO/TKO
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes – Vacant UFC Featherweight Championship
With Ilia Topuria acting the UFC Featherweight Belt to move up to 155, this bout between Alex Volkanovski and Diego Lopes has a championship on the line. We have so many storylines leading into this one. How will Volk bounce back after vicious stoppage losses in back-to-back fights? How will Volk deal with the height of Lopes? Can Lopes stop Volk’s pressure?
It’s an extremely intriguing fight and I can’t wait to see how much Volk has left in the tank. I think you see the Aussie fighter look for the takedown early on to try and drain Lopes.
06. Dominates Brian Ortega at UFC Noche 2024 🥶pic.twitter.com/FkkM9opJzW
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) April 11, 2025
Lopes is coming off of a massive win over Brian Ortega back in 2024 and looking to carry that momentum to championship gold. Lopes has fight-ending power that Volk will need to avoid after those aforementioned losses.
With that being said, I think there are levels to this game and I think as long as Volk hasn’t slowed down too much, he’ll be able to use a mix of forward pressure in the striking game as well as his wrestling to come out on top.
Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski over Diego Lopes via Decision
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