UFC 314 takeaways: Volkanovski is again, Pimblett radiates- as soon as once more

Alex Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes by consentaneous option to win the light-weight champion at UFC 314 on the Kaseya Center in Miami onSaturday After 5 rounds, Volkanovski gained by scorecards of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46.

In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett managed Michael Chandler in a third-round TKO and revealed he’s a problem for the lightweight division, notably since he’s younger than all of the main rivals.

Also on the cardboard, Yair Rodriguez revitalized his occupation with a superb effectivity to destroy Patricio Pitbull’s UFC launching. When Rodriguez goes to the highest of his online game, the presently tough featherweight division is much better than ever earlier than.

Brett Okamoto and Andreas Hale share their concepts on these battles.

The kingdom Volkanovski controls appears to be like numerous this time round round

“Old Man Volk” is champion as soon as extra but the division is loads numerous than the one he managed when he was champ from 2019 to 2023. Yes, it has truly simply been 2 years, but a try the panorama at 145 additional kilos exposes that the division has truly seen an overhaul over the earlier 24 months. Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria have truly proceeded to the lightweight division and there are brand-new names that weren’t knocking on the door looking for a title battle.

Volkanovski’s preliminary light-weight title regime noticed him make investments over half of his 145-pound title battles versusHolloway Chan Sung Jung has truly contemplating that retired whereas Brian Ortega has truly handled a 1-3 doc in his earlier 4 battles. This run could be considered as much more tough because the 36-year-old will definitely be checked by a brand-new sort of featherweights that include Movsar Evloev, Lerone Murphy and Jean Silva, that created a scorching demolition of Bryce Mitchell on the first card. There are moreover present signees Aaron Pico andPatricio Pitbull And though the final failed versus Yair Rodriguez, it’s not outdoors the world of alternative that he capabilities his means up the ladder.

Stylistic matches and the younger folks of his challengers can supply pretty the hill for Volkanovski to recover from. However, if he handles to make plenty of efficient title defenses, Volkanovski has an opportunity to divide himself from boxers like Holloway and Jos é Aldo as the very best featherweight in UFC background.

What we do acknowledge is that that is simply one of many inmost, most gifted light-weight departments in present reminiscence. Volkanovski has his job appropriate him, but it can actually be a reward to see based mostly upon his Saturday effectivity. — Hale

Pimblett is a considerable hassle at lightweight, notably because of his younger folks

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‘What currently?!’ Paddy Pimblett commemorates after controling win

Paddy Pimblett borders Michael Chandler with a flurry of violation and commemorates in electrical fashion within the co-main event of UFC 314.

If this looks as if a backhanded reward, it’s actually not. Pimblett’s skills are official, and he would definitely be a handful for any sort of lightweight in his prime; but the reality he’s falling to the deep finish of the lightweight waters every time when these waters are stuffed with boxers within the golden of their jobs completely doesn’t harmed.

Pimblett, 30, is for certain, gifted and an especially unsafe finisher. He has truly presently battled Tony Ferguson (41 ), King Green (38) and Chandler (38 ). He’s presently focusing on Charles Oliveira (35 ), Justin Gaethje (36) and Dustin Poirier (36 ). Again, I’m not taking something removed from Pimblett– but it’s alright to direct this out. He is getting into his prime at the perfect time possible for this division.

If Pimblett can keep this going, we could be testing a UFC tremendous star. And permit’s be easy, the sporting exercise requires as a number of as it could actually clear up presently. The UFC within reason star-starved presently, should you distinction it to numerous different ages. That’s intermittent and it’ll occur, and Pimblett could be among the many important boxers to remodel the pattern.

Pimblett is the real supply; he understands he’s the real supply, and the onslaught of outright awesomes on the extraordinarily main is (primarily) boxers which can be starting to cut back. He has a exceptional risk upfront of him. — Okamoto

A “good” Rodriguez is so useful for this division

The light-weight division stays in a powerful space, but it’s a lot much more intriguing and a lot better with a unbelievableRodriguez And not merely a unbelievable Rodriguez, but a terminated up one.

When he will get on, he’s completely nothing besides gorgeous. That 2018 ko of “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung within the final secondly was the very best ko in UFC background– up till Max Holloway knocked mindless Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in 2015. The rotating assaults, the flying assaults, the choke of Josh Emmett for the appearing champion at UFC 284 in 2023– Rodriguez can do factors that merely can chorus from doing. His best minutes versus Pitbull on Saturday got here when he was underneath assault and in danger. Rodriguez could be a menace typically, and it would definitely be so welcome if he consistently could be one.

Don’t acquire me incorrect, his losses have truly come versus elite ability, but I cannot help but consider I nonetheless haven’t seen Rodriguez at full throttle. I want to see him psychologically spent, if that’s what it takes. I might not thoughts seeing him fight Diego Lopes after they went at it all through right this moment’s interview. Rodriguez has truly been unbelievable in flashes, but he’s moreover been non-active typically, consisting of when the UFC just about diminished him in 2018. I’m quibbling a bit of, but I merely want to see what Rodriguez seems like with a bit of little bit of boodle. Somewhat little bit of that conceit people implicated him of getting previous to he shed within the UFC for the very first time to Frankie Edgar again in 2017.

The 145-pound division would definitely revenue considerably from thatRodriguez — Okamoto