Tag: Diego Lopes

Aaron Pico: Diego Lopes ‘looked very sloppy’ in UFC 314 title loss to Alexander Volkanovski

Aaron Pico credits Diego Lopes for his toughness, but expected more out of him at UFC 314.

[autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag] credits [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] for his toughness, but expected more out of him at UFC 314.

Lopes (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Alexander Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in their vacant featherweight title fight, which headlined Saturday’s event at Kaseya Center in Miami.

“Now that the fight is over with, he just showed that he’s very, very tough,” Pico told Submission Radio on Lopes. “He has a great chin, but I’ll just be very blunt: I think he looked very sloppy. I don’t think it was his best performance, but what I took away from it – he’s got a granite of a chin, and he just keeps coming forward.”

Pico admits he initially picked Lopes to win, and was surprised with Volkanovski’s performance.

“I mean, he proved me wrong, to be honest with you,” Pico said. “I was saying before the fight I thought Diego Lopes was going to win. Alexander Volkanovski is not old, but in MMA years, he’s getting on the older side. But he just proved that age is just a number, and he’s getting better. And on the flip side, I got to see him live and study him as best as I can, and he’s a very good fighter. I look to fight him one day, and it would be an honor.”

As Pico looks to contend for the UFC title someday, the former Bellator standout is still eyeing Brian Ortega for his debut fight – a fight he sees making perfect sense.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: UFC 314 fallout for Volkanovski and Pimblett, plus GFL’s debacle and more

On the latest episode of Spinning Back Clique, the panel looks back at UFC 314, talks about the latest major MMA news and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia, along with special guest coach Eric Nicksick from Xtreme Couture, live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • UFC 314 saw the vacant featherweight belt go to [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] when he beat [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]. Also, UFC star [autotag]Paddy Pimblett [/autotag] took a giant leap in his career when he destroyed former Bellator champion [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] in the co-main event. We look back at those bouts, plus many other key fights on the card.
  • The fallout of fighters leaving the PFL, particularly ones who came over from Bellator, continues. The latest is Aaron Pico, who has signed with the UFC. We talk about his potential there in the featherweight division.
  • She retired, but we know how that goes in MMA. Former UFC two-division champion Amanda Nunes told MMA Junkie she’s fully prepared to return to fight the winner of Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison. She’s also going into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer. But should she come back?
  • If it ever was fair to call something a dumpster fire, now might be the time. The Global Fight League made giant promises, “signed” giant names and made a big fuss over fighter revenue splits and a “live” draft. Then it canceled both its shows in Los Angeles next month because it can’t pay the bills.

Diego Lopes releases statement after UFC 314 loss: ‘I failed in a few ways’

Diego Lopes came up short at UFC 314.

[autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] is taking his UFC 314
loss in stride.

On Sunday, Lopes (27-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) released a statement on his unanimous decision loss Saturday to Alexander Volkanovski (26-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in the promotion’s vacant featherweight title fight main event at Kaseya Center in Miami.

“Always with my head held high, a smile on my face,” wrote on Instagram. “I fell short last night, I failed in a few ways. I’ll get back to work, improve, correct the mistakes, and move forward. Thank you all for your support.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIZFZk6xJOy/?img_index=1

Lopes, 30, fought for the title in what his eighth promotional appearance. It took him 26 pro fights to enter the promotion, but when he debuted on short notice vs. Movsar Evloev in May 2023, his impact was immediately felt.

While he dropped a competitive outing vs. Evloev, Lopes shot up the divisional ladder with six-straight wins in the fights that followed. Victories included Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, and Brian Ortega.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

Yair Rodriguez pushes Diego Lopes grudge match aside for UFC title fight: ‘Right now is fighting for that belt’

Yair Rodriguez snapped a two-fight skid at UFC 314. Now could he be in line for a title shot?

MIAMI – While fight fans might be interested in the grudge match, [autotag]Yair Rodriguez[/autotag] prefers a rematch.

Following his UFC 314 win over Patricio Freire on Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami, Rodriguez (20-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) took a look at the featherweight land – and it’s a no-brainer what he wants next.

“Yeah, in the eyes of the fans (they want me vs. [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]), of course,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “If you ask me, if you’re in my position right now, the beef can stay aside for now. The only thing that I’m looking for right now is fighting for that belt.”

Rodriguez and Lopes are two wildly popular fighters in Mexico and Latin America, but seem to have bad blood between them. While an in-depth breakdown of the rivalry has not yet been explained, it seems Lopes and Rodriguez’s teammate and friend Marco Beltran have past history.

While the beef may continue to be a sideshow, Rodriguez wants to lock in a rematch vs. [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC), who reclaimed the featherweight throne with a decision win over Lopes in Saturday’s main event.

With the UFC headed to Guadalajara, Mexico for a pay-per-view in September, Rodriguez thinks the stars could align for a perfect scenario.

“Brother, Volkanovski has fights all over around the world,” Rodriguez said. “He hasn’t fought in Mexico. Guadalajara isn’t super high elevation. I think it makes sense for the UFC to bring a huge event, numbered event in Guadalajara. I think Volkanovski wll be able to run it back with me. I think he will be happy to do that.”

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Rodriguez and Volkanovski fought in a title unification bout at UFC 290 in July 2023. Volkanovski defeated Rodriguez via third-round TKO. Rodriguez competed once between that fight and Saturday’s, which was a loss to Brian Ortega. However, Rodriguez indicated in the cage after the fight UFC CBO Hunter Campbell previously promised him a title fight if he got through Freire (36-8 MMA, 0-1 UFC).

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

 

 

UFC 314 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Michael Chandler, Paddy Pimblett combine for $12,000

Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett combined for a $12,000 payout under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program at UFC 314.

MIAMI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 314 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $300,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 314 took place at Kaseya Center. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 314 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jean Silva[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Yair Rodriguez[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Sean Woodson[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Chase Hooper[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Julian Erosa[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Michal Oleksiejczuk[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Sedriques Dumas[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Mitch Raposo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Marco Tulio[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Tresean Gore[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Nora Cornolle[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Hailey Cowan[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2025 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,579,500
2024 total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $33,597,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

UFC 314 bonuses: Volkanovski vs. Lopes ends Fight of the Night drought

After four consecutive events without a Fight of the Night bonus, UFC 314’s title fight delivered a banger worthy of $50,000.

The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s UFC 314, including a Fight of the Night for the first time in a month.

After UFC 314, which took place at Kaseya Center in Miami, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000. Check out the winners below.

Performance of the Night: Jean Silva

Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via submission (ninja choke) – Round 2, 3:52

[autotag]Jean Silva[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) delivered on his promise to batter Bryce Mitchell with a striking onslaught then ended with a ninja choke in the second round of the featherweight main card bout.

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Performance of the Night: Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:07

[autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) picked up his fifth Performance of the Night bonus in seven octagon appearances when he thoroughly dominated, bloodied then finished Michael Chandler with a third-round TKO in the lightweight co-main event.

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Fight of the Night: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) and [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC) closed the show with a five-round thriller which featured some memorable moments and big momentum swings. Ultimately, Volkanovski got his hand raised by unanimous decision to become the first fight to ever win an undisputed title after back-to-back losses.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

UFC 314 results: Alexander Volkanovski reclaims throne through hard-fought battle with Diego Lopes

Surprise, surprise – Alexander Volkanovski is back upon the UFC featherweight throne.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] is atop the throne once again.

In the UFC 314 main event Saturday, Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) defeated [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC) via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46). The vacant featherweight title fight took place at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Entering the fight, questions were raised about Volkanovski’s chin and how he’d bounce back from back-to-back knockout losses. However, from the opening bell, Volkanovski showed no fear. He marched toward Lopes in an aggressive attack.

In Round 2, he stunned Lopes with a punch that sent the Brazilian-born Mexico resident flying backward into the cage. Just when it looked like a clear Volkanovsk round, however, Lopes muddied the waters. In the final seconds, he dropped Volkanovski who scrambled back up to his feet.

Volkanovski regained clear control in Round 3, as he went back to his technical striking, agile footwork, and quick head movement. Lopes had his strongest round in Round 4, as his glove dug in Volkanovski’s eyelid. He then cracked Volkanovski with a big uppercut that but the former (and now current) champion on the retreat.

In the fifth round, both men landed good licks. However, when the dust settled it was a clear-cut decision for Volkanovski, who enters his second stint as champion. His first championship reign stretched from December 2019 to February 2023 and included five title defenses.

Volkanovski lost the title in February 2024 to Ilia Topuria, who later vacated the title after a knockout win vs. Max Holloway with intentions of moving to lightweight.

For Lopes, the loss snaps a five-fight winning streak. Prior to Saturday’s fight he had not lost since his UFC debut in May 2023.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 314 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

‘What a legend’: Fighters react to Alexander Volkanovski’s title win over Diego Lopes at UFC 314

The MMA community reacted to Alexander Volkanovski claiming Ilia Topuria’s vacant belt with a UFC 314 win over Diego Lopes.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] is just the second two-time featherweight champion in history after regaining gold with a win over [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] in Saturday’s UFC 314 headliner.

After Ilia Topuria vacated the strap to move up to lightweight, Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) reassumed his position at the top of the 145-pound division with a unanimous decision victory over Lopes (26-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the main event at Kaseya Center in Miami.

It’s Volkanovski’s first victory since July 2023 after he was knocked out by Topuria and Islam Makhachev in consecutive fights.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Volkanovski’s title triumph over Lopes at UFC 314.

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Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes at UFC 314: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Alexander Volkanovski’s win over Diego Lopes at UFC 314.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]’s win over [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] at UFC 314 at Kaseya Center in Miami. (Photos by Sam Navarro, USA Today Sports; MMA Junkie; UFC)

What time is Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes? Walkouts for UFC 314 main event

Here’s when to expect Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to make their cage walks at UFC 314 in Miami.

A new UFC featherweight champion will be crowned when [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] step into the octagon. Their 145-pound title fight scheduled for five rounds will take place Saturday, April 12 at UFC 314 from Kaseya Center in Miami.

This fight between Volkanovski (26-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) and Lopes (27-6 MMA, 6-1 UFC) came together after Ilia Topuria agreed to vacate the featherweight title as he prepares to move up to lightweight.

Volkanovski, 36, will enter UFC 314 looking to become a two-time champ after losing the title to Topuria by knockout in February 2024. Volkanovski should be determined to prove his career still has plenty to offer after losing three of his past four bouts. His other two losses during that span were failed attempts at claiming the lightweight title from Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski’s most recent win came in July 2023 when he finished Yair Rodriguez by third-round TKO.

Lopes, 30, will enter UFC 314 on a five-fight winning streak. His most recent result was a dominant unanimous decision win over Brian Ortega last September at UFC 306.

When does the UFC 314 fight card start?

The UFC 314 lineup consists of 13 fights. Early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, prelims at 8 p.m. ET, and the pay-per-view main card at 10 p.m. ET.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes walkout time

  • As the main event, Volkanovski and Lopes are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 12:30 a.m. ET.
  • The fight will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.