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What Happened at UFC 314? A Big Night for Latino Fighters
UFC 314 went down in Miami on April 12, and it was packed with action, big names, and huge moments for Latino fighters. From a title fight to a Hall of Fame induction, this was a fight night to remember for the community. Let’s break down everything that went down.
Diego Lopes vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Brazilian Diego Lopes stepped into the cage for the biggest fight of his life, going up against featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski. Lopes came in hot off a five-fight win streak, dreaming of becoming champion, and Volkanovski was already one of the best to ever do it.
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Round 1 started slow, with both fighters sizing each other up. Volkanovski landed a solid hit that stunned Lopes and sent him backing up. Lopes weathered the ground-and-pound and returned to his corner with a cut on his nose. In Round 2, Volkanovski kept up the pressure. He rocked Lopes again, but just before the bell, Lopes fired back with a big right hand that floored Volk. The crowd went wild.
By Round 3, Lopes was doing a great job defending against takedowns; Volkanovski managed only one out of six all night. Round 4 saw Lopes land a clean left and a follow-up uppercut, while Volkanovski, now cut, told his corner he lost vision during the round. Round 5 was a battle. Both fighters kept landing punches, and at the end, they embraced, both still on their feet. The judges awarded Volkanovski the win by unanimous decision, and he reclaimed the featherweight title. For Lopes, it wasn’t a victory, but he proved he’s a top contender.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Michael Chandler
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The lightweight fight between Paddy Pimblett and Michael Chandler was pure chaos. Round 1 was fairly even, with both feeling each other out. Chandler got a takedown and landed some hard shots. In Round 2, an accidental low blow from Chandler stopped the action momentarily. Once they resumed, Chandler took Pimblett down again, but Pimblett reversed and took control. He landed more strikes and dominated most of the round.
Round 3 was all Paddy. He opened up a cut under Chandler’s eye with a knee, then swarmed him on the canvas. Chandler couldn’t recover. The ref stepped in, and Pimblett got the win. Chandler left the cage fast to get the cut checked.
Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
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Yair Rodriguez, repping Mexico, faced Brazil’s Patricio Pitbull in a heated match. Round 1 ended with some drama: Pitbull wasn’t happy that Rodriguez landed shots to the back of his head while they were scrambling. In Round 2, Rodriguez kept using his range to control the pace. He scored a takedown at the end of the round and outstruck Pitbull throughout. By Round 3, it was clear: Rodriguez was in control. He kept up the pressure and earned a unanimous decision win.
Jean Silva vs. Bryce Mitchell
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Jean Silva (Brazil) and Bryce Mitchell faced off in an electrifying match. The first round was pretty even, with Silva going for submissions towards the end. In Round 2, Silva caught Mitchell off guard with an early punch but decided to let him stand up instead of finishing him then and there. Silva followed it up with a combo and locked in a standing ninja choke, taking Mitchell to the mat and forcing a submission. A huge victory for Silva.
Dominick Reyes vs. Nikita Krylov
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Dominick Reyes, with his Mexican heritage, didn’t waste any time. In Round 1, he landed a perfect left hand that dropped Nikita Krylov on the spot. The referee jumped in, and it was a done deal: a TKO victory for Reyes. Fun fact: This was Krylovs’ first time getting knocked out in a light heavyweight bout.
Amanda Nunes: A Hall of Fame Moment
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UFC 314 wasn’t just about the fights. During the event, UFC announced that Amanda Nunes would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Nunes is the first Brazilian woman to become a UFC champion and the only woman to hold two belts at the same time. She was totally surprised by the announcement. A video played, highlighting her best moments, and the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Dana White and Bruce Buffer gave her a hug. It was emotional and well-deserved.
UFC 314 was packed with action, especially with so many Latino fighters stepping into the cage. The future for Latino fighters in the UFC couldn’t be brighter.
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