UFC 314 looks excellent!
The UFC can make a rainy, dreary April evening feel really exciting and magical unlike any other sport I can think of. Championship matches frequently throughout the year, sort of like several 'Super Bowls' a year for fans to enjoy. It's very cool, I look back on random times of the year now when big sporting moments happened, not just specific times of the year. Don't get me wrong, seasonal sports have their own type of magic too of course.
Anyway, tonight is a big night in MMA and for the UFC. UFC 314, or UFC Pi LOL, goes down in Miami and there are a lot of great matchups.
Jim Miller and Chase Hooper is a mega clash of generations and it will be fun to see. The MMA math that will be able to be done after Hooper already fought a veteran like Guida and now Miller, is actually fascinating to consider. Hooper probably wins because he's coming in very hot as a fighter and he's way younger. Hooper is also way bigger than Miller and in general he's been surpassing even my own expectations.
#15 Dan Ige fights Sean Woodson in a fascinating featherweight bout. Ige has already gained a low level of legend status, he basically reminds me of a less skilled featherweight Dustin Poirier and that's honestly very much a compliment. Woodson has been winning in pretty dominant fashion in recent years and this is a big step for him in his career. Woodson is a tremendous striker but what stands out the most is his massive 6'2" frame, which is truly a jaw-dropping sight for the 145 pound division. In general, this is a very unique, important fight. I lean toward Woodson winning, but I always love an upset and it could happen.
#8 Nikita Krylov vs #11 Dominick Reyes is kind of a mega fight in the light heavyweight division for obvious reasons looking at their rankings. Both dudes are similar in size, and feel similarly skilled and similarly athletic. Should be a competitive fight, but I think Nikita gets it done by decision.
#13 Bryce Mitchell fights Jean Silva in the featherweight division and this is considered by many to be the people's main event. Some fairly sensitive topics have been brought up between these two very outspoken fighters that are full of personality. I think Bryce got this one. This will be intense as it's pretty clear they don't like each other very much!!
#5 Yair Rodriguez fights promotion newcomer Patrício Pitbull tonight in Miami. It's not common a new UFC fighter gets a top five opportunity upon arrival but it's unanimously agreed that Pitbull is worthy of such a challenge. He was essentially one of the faces of Bellator, dominating for a decade and a half. He was a champion at both lightweight and featherweight in the respected fighting organization but, the UFC is built a little different! I got Yair winning but this should be an epic debut for Pitbull. If Pitbull wins it really shakes some things up in a big way.
#7 Michael Chandler fights #12 Paddy Pimblett and this is a legendary fight! Chandler is already a legend but he's aging. Chandler needs a win badly. Pimblett is constantly overlooked but keeps winning. He is massively popular in the UK and his stardom potential is off the charts as he's already a star. But if he did get his hands on gold, he could for sure get even bigger. I think Paddy wins, he's pretty physically big and does have a knack for rising to the occasion and putting a proper game face on.
UFC 314 Main Event - #1 Alexander Volkanovski vs #3 Diego Lopes for the vacant Men's Featherweight Championship 🏆
LET'S GO!!! This fight is just amazing. Alexander's storied career is excellent and I'm a big fan. I still think he beat Islam in their first fight.... I also think he's the best featherweight of all-time. If he wins tonight to reclaim his gold after being in a bit of a gray area, he will solidify that status in MY opinion.
But this is a PROPER championship fight. I am HIGHLY impressed by Diego Lopes. He is a SCARY individual with a ton of power in the octagon and very well rounded.
I am ready for a world where Diego is a champ, I also wouldn't mind Volk coming back and getting the job done. But I believe Diego wins by third round knockout and becomes champion!!
Let me know who you got!!
