There will be a new featherweight champion crowned at the UFC’s return to Miami.
UFC CEO Dana White announced Wednesday night that Ilia Topuria has vacated his title, and former champ Alexander Volkanovski will face surging contender Diego Lopes for the belt in the main event of UFC 314 on April 12 at Kaseya Center.
White also announced that Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett serves as the five-round co-main event, while longtime Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull has signed with the promotion and faces former interim champ Yair Rodriguez on the card.
Topuria’s next fight will be announced soon, per White, but it appears he’s making the move up to lightweight.
Volkanovski returns to the octagon for the first time in 14 months since losing the championship to Topuria at UFC 298 in February 2024. “The Great” dropped the belt after picking up five successful title defenses, which includes a pair of wins over Max Holloway.
Lopes enters his first title fight with five straight victories, including a lopsided win over Brian Ortega in his most recent bout at UFC 306 this past September.
Chandler has dropped two straight, and four of five as he hopes to get back on track, while Pimblett is 6-0 in the UFC, including a quick submission win over King Green at UFC 304 this past July.
Other new fights announced by the promotion include a welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates, along with a featherweight tilt between Dan Ige and Sean Woodson.
