Ilia Topuria Vacates Title, Volkanovski vs. Lopes Set for UFC 314 Featherweight Title Main Event

UFC CEO Dana White made several bombshell announcements Wednesday night, including Ilia Topuria vacating his featherweight title, paving the way for Alexander Volkanovski to battle Diego Lopes for the vacant championship in the main event.

Volkanovski will be making his long-awaited return to the octagon after a 14-month layoff. The former featherweight king last competed at UFC 298 in February 2024, where he lost the title to Topuria after a dominant reign that included five successful defences. Eager to reclaim his throne, “The Great” will now face Lopes, who has earned his shot at gold after securing five consecutive wins, most recently dismantling Brian Ortega at UFC 306.

White also revealed that Topuria’s next fight will be announced soon, strongly hinting at a move up to the lightweight division. Meanwhile, the co-main event promises fireworks as Michael Chandler faces off against Paddy Pimblett in a five-round bout. Chandler, a former title challenger, is in dire need of a victory after losing four of his last five fights. Pimblett, on the other hand, has been on a tear, remaining undefeated in the UFC with a perfect 6-0 record. His last outing saw him earn a swift submission win over King Green at UFC 304.

Adding to the excitement, longtime Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull has officially signed with the UFC and will make his debut against former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. This high-profile matchup is expected to be a thrilling test for Pitbull as he transitions to the UFC stage.

The promotion also confirmed additional matchups for the card. Welterweight contenders Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates will square off in what promises to be an electrifying clash. Meanwhile, in the featherweight division, Dan Ige will go head-to-head with Sean Woodson.

With Topuria’s departure from the featherweight throne, Volkanovski’s quest for redemption, and Pimblett’s biggest test to date, UFC 314 is shaping up to be a must-watch event. Fans can expect high-stakes action as some of the promotion’s top fighters look to solidify their legacies on April 12.