Main Event: Champion vs. Challenger

Matchup: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

Diego Lopes, the first-time title challenger, has made quite a mark en route to this title shot, securing victories either through first-round finishes (two by KO/TKO, one by submission) or unanimous decisions. Remarkably, none of his UFC bouts have gone beyond the opening round or into the later stages, with his only loss coming in a closely contested debut against Movsar Evloev in 2023. Lopes has faced formidable opponents, including former title challenger Brian Ortega.

Co-Main Event: Heavyweights Collide

Matchup: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett

Michael Chandler is in dire need of a win after suffering two consecutive losses. Notably, Chandler has found success in the Octagon primarily when securing a finish in the first round or immediately after the second begins. His past victories include a remarkable first-round knockout of Dan Hooker and a knockout against Tony Ferguson, which ended at 4:43 of Round 2. However, he has been less fortunate in bouts that extend beyond those early minutes.

Highlighted Fights and Statistics

Impressive Finish Rate

Fight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva

Jean Silva stands out on the card with a perfect finish record in the UFC, having knocked out all four of his opponents. Out of all his professional bouts, only three have gone to the judges, putting substantial pressure on Bryce Mitchell, who aims to bounce back after facing a KO defeat recently.

Title Fight Experience

Fight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull

Patricio Pitbull is a seasoned veteran with a remarkable history in Bellator, including 17 title fights—more than any other fighter in the organization. He has made his way to the UFC and could be poised for yet another title fight depending on his performance against Rodriguez, the sixth-ranked featherweight.

Submission Threats

Fight: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper

Two prominent submission artists will go head-to-head in this lightweight contest, where Miller and Hooper represent 40% of the submissions in the division last year. Both fighters have shown effectiveness on the ground, with Hooper recently completing three consecutive wins via submission.

Preliminary Card Insights

Long-Awaited Comebacks

Fight: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson

Woodson, undefeated in over 250 weeks, faces a formidable opponent in Dan Ige as he looks to maintain his win streak. Their bout promises to test Woodson’s capabilities against higher competition in the UFC.

Chasing Title Contention

Fight: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba

Jandiroba aims for a shot at the strawweight championship, needing just one more victory to solidify her position as a contender. She heads into this fight riding a five-fight win streak, the latest being a second-round submission over Amanda Lemos.

Fighters Seeking Redemption

Fight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

Oleksiejczuk attempts to turn his year around after an unfortunate streak of losses in 2024, while Dumas hopes to improve on his record in the early prelims. Each fighter’s struggle could lead to a pivotal performance in the Octagon.