Brett OkamotoApr 7, 2025, 09:40 AM ET
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- Brett Okamoto has reported on blended martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has lined all the largest occasions in fight sports activities right through that point, together with in-depth interviews and lines with names reminiscent of Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He used to be additionally a manufacturer at the 30 for 30 movie: “Chuck and Tito,” which appeared again on the careers and contention of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
When the UFC introduced in February that featherweight champion Ilia Topuria had determined to vacate his identify to transport up a weight elegance to light-weight, there have been numerous unanswered questions surrounding each divisions. Speedy ahead just about two months, and lots of of the ones questions stay.
It’ll take a while for each divisions to reset following Topuria’s bombshell choice. At light-weight, the million-dollar query is whether or not Topuria gets a right away identify shot or need to earn one through going through some other light-weight contender. Topuria claimed at a information convention ultimate month that the UFC promised him his subsequent bout could be for a identify, however the UFC has now not but introduced Topuria’s subsequent combat nor the following identify matchup for its light-weight champion, Islam Makhachev.
Former light-weight champion Charles Oliveira is within the operating for a shot towards Makhachev. As is former period in-between champion Justin Gaethje. Arman Tsarukyan, who withdrew the day sooner than his January combat at UFC 311 with Makhachev on account of again spasms, continues to be in play. On most sensible of that, Makhachev reportedly has aspirations of shifting as much as welterweight, both within the quick long run or someplace down the street.
As UFC CEO Dana White stated of the placement at a contemporary information convention, “Numerous s— happening at this time …”
Thankfully, we are about to get solutions at featherweight. Former champion Alexander Volkanovski faces Diego Lopes for the 145-pound championship at UFC 314 on Saturday night time in Miami (ESPN+ PPV, 10 ET, with prelims on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ at 8 ET), and that is the reason simply one among a number of featherweight bouts at the card. Topuria’s departure threw each divisions into a little bit of chaos, however a minimum of at featherweight, we all know the questions and when they will be replied.
How a lot does Volkanovski have left?
Alexander Volkanovski will make his first Octagon look in over a 12 months when he faces Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight identify within the UFC 314 leading tournament. Photograph through Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures
Volkanovski went from some of the surest bets in MMA to a mountain of query marks inside of two years. He’s handiest 36 years previous and just about beat Makhachev in a light-weight identify combat in 2023, however he has additionally been knocked out in back-to-back appearances and has published he is been running on his psychological well being.
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Forward of this matchup towards Lopes, 30, Volkanovski’s again is towards the wall. His enthusiasts may well be anxious about some other loss and about his well being. That is essentially the most doubt Volkanovski has confronted in his 14-year UFC occupation. He informed ESPN he stopped consuming alcohol smartly sooner than the beginning of this camp and has been forward of agenda along with his weight lower. His self belief undoubtedly seems to be intact.
“I wish to turn out I will beat this new college [of fighters],” Volkanovski stated. “I nonetheless were given those guys, accept as true with me. Lopes is younger, hungry, on a tear these days. [I want] to move out and do this and [have fans] be like, ‘Oh wow, Volk’s nonetheless were given it.'”
Checking out this 145-pound department begins with Volkanovski. He used to be the king till he bumped into Topuria. Now that Topuria is shifting on, who is to mention that the throne mustn’t nonetheless belong to Volkanovski? To get there, he has to conquer a difficult ancient pattern: Opponents 35 and older are 0-17 in UFC identify fights at 155 kilos and lighter.
How a lot does Patricio Pitbull have left?
Patricio Pitbull, left, will make his UFC debut towards Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314. Photograph Through David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile by means of Getty Pictures
The most productive fighter on the earth at any weight elegance is regularly the UFC champion. The UFC has the highest ability and the inner most weight categories. Once in a while, alternatively, there’s a debate — and for years, a possible one has concerned Pitbull.
Pitbull used to be a long-reigning featherweight champion in Bellator MMA, and he additionally received its light-weight identify in 2019 through knocking out Michael Chandler, who will tackle Paddy Pimblett within the co-main tournament of UFC 314. Any longtime MMA fan would have beloved to peer Volkanovski combat Pitbull right through their respective reigns within the UFC and Bellator. That is why it used to be no marvel that Pitbull’s first social media put up upon securing his unencumber from Bellator previous this 12 months used to be, “Hello, @alexvolkanovski.”
Pitbull faces Yair Rodriguez on Saturday. If he wins impressively, there is a superb likelihood he catapults himself to the highest of the scores and a identify shot.
He’s 37, despite the fact that, and used to be knocked out for the primary time in 2023 through Chihiro Suzuki at Tremendous Rizin 2. Like Volkanovski, Pitbull is at a singular level in his occupation the place he has one thing to turn out. But when he can turn out it, he can bounce the road. And that line is not even tremendous lengthy. It principally comes down to 1 different contender …
Will the UFC get at the back of Movsar Evloev?
That contender is Evloev, who’s 19-0 general and 9-0 within the UFC, together with a unanimous choice over Lopes two years in the past. In reality, each and every of the wrestling-heavy Evloev’s wins within the UFC has come through choice.
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Here is a great way to sum up Evloev’s status within the UFC: White referred to his win over Arnold Allen in January 2024 as “the least a laugh combat any one’s ever noticed.” Movsar has since mentioned he may not beg White for a identify shot and can run his file to 100-0 if that is what it takes to win a championship. You get the image.
Volkanovski and Lopes have each stated they wish to combat Evloev, and the UFC can not deny him eternally. His trail already has been lengthy, however for it to culminate in a identify alternative, not anything wanting perfection is needed.
What sort of upward push may Aaron Pico be in for?
Aaron Pico is predicted to enroll in the UFC’s roster someday in 2025. Photograph through Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures
Pico is headed to the UFC. It hasn’t been formally introduced, however the information has been coming and the largest hurdles had been cleared.
Pico, 28, signed with Bellator again in 2014, 3 years sooner than he even made his MMA debut. The younger freestyle wrestling phenom used to be one of the promising possibilities in MMA historical past however misplaced 3 of his first seven Bellator fights. Because the tough get started, he has received 9 of 10 and used to be in line to combat for the Bellator identify sooner than the promotion ceased operations this 12 months.
8 years and 17 fights into his skilled occupation, Pico’s true ceiling stays a thriller. He has all the ability on the earth, however a transfer to the UFC might be a step up in festival. If he does turn out to be championship-caliber, his inventory may just cross throughout the roof. You wish to have to discuss a shakeup on this department? Pico’s transfer to the UFC may well be the largest wild card of the 12 months.
Who else may just alternate the panorama of this department in 2025?
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Jean Silva drops Charles Jourdain with vicious uppercut
Jean Silva knocks out Charles Jourdain with a fantastic uppercut at UFC 303.
Jean Silva has been thrown a chance to stand Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314 in a particularly fast turnaround from his first-round knockout of Melsik Baghdasaryan in February. Youssef Zalal, who’s on his 2nd run within the UFC once you have lower in 2021, is discovering his stride, too. He simply beat the always-game Calvin Kattar in February to get to 4-0 since he reentered the UFC a 12 months in the past.
Finally, Lerone Murphy is undefeated and might be ranked a few of the most sensible 10 following Saturday’s leading tournament win towards Josh Emmett. There is now not numerous flash to Murphy, who’s quietly on an eight-fight win streak, however there seems to be greater than sufficient substance to create some problems for the highest of the department.
