UFC 314: Key Numbers Behind Volkanovski vs. Lopes and More

The UFC returns to Miami this weekend with a stacked card headlined by a featherweight title clash between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and rising contender Diego Lopes. The event, UFC 314, airs live Saturday night from The Shed at Hudson Yards (ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET).

With 13 bouts scheduled, the card includes must-watch lightweight clashes—Michael Chandler seeks redemption against Paddy Pimblett, while veteran Jim Miller eyes his historic 50th UFC appearance versus submission ace Chase Hooper.

Let’s take a look at the most compelling stat lines heading into each fight on the card.
 

Main Card Highlights (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)

2 results – Featherweight Title: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

Diego Lopes’ UFC tenure has featured only two kinds of outcomes: early stoppages and unanimous decisions. In six Octagon appearances, Lopes has secured three first-round finishes—two via KO/TKO, one by submission—and gone the distance in his other three. Notably, none of his fights have ended in the second or third rounds. His lone loss came against top contender Movsar Evloev in a short-notice debut.

5 minutes, 17 seconds – Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett

For Chandler, time is a crucial factor. He has only won UFC bouts when securing finishes in the first round or within the first 17 seconds of the second. His two Octagon victories came via quick knockouts of Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson. All four of his UFC losses occurred after the 5:17 mark of Round 2—an ominous cutoff point for the explosive former Bellator champion.

100% finishes – Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva

Jean Silva is the only multi-fight UFC competitor on this card with a perfect finishing rate—four fights, four knockouts. Only three of his professional wins have required the judges. He faces Bryce Mitchell, a submission specialist who suffered a brutal KO loss two fights ago. Can Silva keep his perfect streak alive?

17 title fights – Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire arrives from Bellator with a legacy of 17 title bouts—tied with Jon Jones for the most among active UFC fighters. Now looking to make a splash in the UFC, he’ll need to overcome No. 6-ranked Yair Rodriguez to push toward an 18th championship appearance.

2 UFC runs – Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes

Krylov is making his return after more than two years away, having previously left the UFC in 2016 before re-signing in 2018. This is his second stint in the promotion—matched only on this card by Julian Erosa—and it begins with a clash against former title challenger Dominick Reyes.

Prelims (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Disney+)

250 weeks – Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson

Sean Woodson hasn’t tasted defeat in nearly five years—250 weeks, to be exact. His only loss came against Julian Erosa in 2020. The boxer-turned-MMA fighter looks to extend his undefeated streak against seasoned contender Dan Ige in what promises to be a technical showcase.

1 fight away – Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba

Though not officially a title eliminator, this bout may determine the next challenger for Zhang Weili. Jandiroba has five straight wins, including a submission over Amanda Lemos. With Tatiana Suarez and Yan both falling to Zhang recently, Jandiroba is likely next in line if she claims victory Saturday.
 

40% of submissions – Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper

Last year, Jim Miller and Chase Hooper accounted for a remarkable 40% of all lightweight submissions in the UFC. Both fighters have been submission machines, and this matchup may not need the judges. Miller is chasing history, and Hooper is building momentum with three straight wins via tapout.

2 guillotines, 1 round – Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa

Julian Erosa has ended his last two fights with first-round guillotine chokes. He now faces the gritty veteran Darren Elkins, who has seen it all in his 15-year UFC career. Can Erosa make it a third straight submission win by the same method and round?

Early Prelims (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Disney+)

0-for-2024 – Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

Oleksiejczuk is winless in three fights this year, all of which exposed a vulnerability—submission defense. Five of his seven UFC losses have come via tapout, including back-to-back first-round losses to Michel Pereira and Kevin Holland. He’ll need to tighten his ground game to stop the skid.

1,543 days – Flyweight: Sumudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo

It’s been over four years—1,543 days—since Sumudaerji’s last win. The flyweight striker hopes to reverse a three-fight losing streak against UFC newcomer Mitch Raposo, who enters the Octagon for just his second promotional bout.
 

29th season alumni – Middleweight: Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio

Both Gore and Raposo appeared on Season 29 of The Ultimate Fighter. Gore, who missed the finale due to injury, is now riding a two-fight submission streak. He’ll try to continue that trend against Brazil’s Marco Tulio.
 

8 wins in between – Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan

Cornolle opens the card looking to rebound from a close loss to Jacqueline Cavalcanti—a fighter who also beat her in her pro debut. Between those two setbacks, Cornolle rattled off eight straight victories, including six by knockout. Can she reset her winning momentum?

From fighters seeking redemption to those climbing toward title contention, UFC 314 delivers narratives and numbers worth watching. Whether it’s Diego Lopes’ rapid finishes or Chandler’s race against the clock, each stat tells a story ahead of Saturday’s showdowns.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for full UFC 314 coverage, fight night updates, and expert analysis.