UFC 314 Takeawayys: Volkanovski is back, Pimblett shines again – again

Alex Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes by a unanimous decision Win a feather weight mastery In UFC 314 in the center of Kaseya in Miami on Saturday. After five rounds Volkanovski Scorecards won 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46.

At the Comain event, Paddy pimblett dominated Michael Chandler va third round tko And he showed that this is a problem for a light division, especially because he is younger than all the best candidates.

Also on the card, Yair Rodriguez revived his career with an impressive performance Patricio Pitbull‘With UFC debut. When Rodriguez is at the top of his game, the already hard feather division is better than ever.

Brett Okamoto and Andreas Hale share their thoughts of these fighting.

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The Kingdom of Volkanovski rules, this time looks different

“Old Man Volk” is again a champion, but the division is much different than the one he ruled when he was a champion from 2019 to 2023. Yes, it was only two years, but the view of the landscape of £ 145 shows that the division has reported overhaul in the last 24 months. MAX HOLLOWAY and Ulli tepriaria They moved to a light division and there are new names that did not knock on the door and look for the title.

Volkanovski’s initial feather scales of Reign saw him spend more than half of his 145-LiBrium titles against Holloway. Chan Sung Jung has retired since Brian Ortega In his last four fighting he fought a record of 1-3. This run can be considered much more demanding because a 36 -year -old man will be tested with a new feathers that include MOVSAR EVLOEV, Lerone Murphy and Jean Silvawho assembled the demolition of blisters Bryce Mitchell on the main card. There are also recent signatas Aaron pico and Patricio Pitbull. And even though the other did not reach Yair Rodriguez, it is not beyond the possibility that he is setting on a ladder.

Stylistic matches and youth of his opponents could introduce quite a mountain for Volkanovski. However, if he manages to make several successful defensive defensive defensive, Volkanovski has the opportunity to separate from warriors like Holowolay and José Aldo As the biggest feathers in the history of UFC.

We know that this is one of the deepest and most talented feather divisions in recent memory. Volkanovski cut out his work for him, but it will be a treatment on the basis of his Saturday performance. – Hale

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Pimblett is a huge problem in light, especially because of his youth

If it sounds like a backhanded compliment, it’s not really. Pimblett’s skills are legitimate and he would be a handful of any light weight in his main condition. But the fact that they are wading at the deep end of light waters at a time when these waters are full of fighters in the dusk of their career will certainly not hurt.

Pimblett, 30, is confident, talented and very dangerous finisher. Has already fought Tony Ferguson (41), King of Green (38) and Chandler (38). Now focuses Charles Oliveira (35), Justin Slave (36) and Dustin Poirier (36). Again, nothing prevents Pimblett – but it’s okay to warn it. At the best time for this division comes to its peak.

If Pimblett can keep it, we could look at SuperStar UFC. And let’s be honest, the sport needs as much as it can get right now. UFC is at the moment relatively star if you compare it to other era. This is cyclical and it comes and Pimblett could be one of the key fighters who turned the tide.

Pimblett is a real business, knows that it is a real shop and the gloves of absolute killers at the very top is (mostly) fighters who are beginning to slow down. He has a huge opportunity ahead. – Okamoto

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“Good” Rodriguez is so good for this division

The feather weight division is in a fixed place, but it is much more interesting and better with the great Rodriguez. And not just a great Rodriguez, fired.

When it is turned on, there is nothing dazzling. This Knockout “Korean Zombie” from 2018 Chan Sung Jung In the last second was the largest knockout in the history of UFC – until MAX HOLLOWAY last year eliminated Justin Gaethje on UFC 300. Spinning attacks, flying attacks, choke Josh Emmett For the provisional UFC 284 championship in 2023 – Rodriguez can do things that others simply can’t do. His best moments against pit bull came on Saturday when he was under fire and in danger. Rodriguez can sometimes be a threat and would be welcome if it could always be.

Do not understand me badly, his losses came against the elite talent, but I can’t help, but I think I haven’t seen Rodriguez at the highest speed. I want to see him emotionally invest him if that’s what it means. I wouldn’t mind when I saw him fighting with Diego Lopes after they got to it during the press conference this week. Rodriguez was great in a flash, but sometimes it was also inactive, including when UFC jumped it almost in 2018. A little nitpicing, but I just want to see what Rodriguez looks like with a little magnifying glass. A little arrogant people accused him of losing the first time in UFC Frankie Edgar In 2017.

Division 145 pounds would very much benefit Rodriguez. – Okamoto