Significant Stats | UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes

Key Stats: 6:55 average fight time (3rd shortest all-time among FW), 1.3 knockdowns averaged per 15 minutes (4th all-time among FW), 3.03 submissions averaged per 15 minutes (1st all-time among FW) 

What It Means: Diego Lopes starts his fights like a bat out of hell, but he does so with an extremely high skill level. He swarms his opponents with pressure and has excellent boxing, especially on the inside. He generates a lot of power without having to overextend himself, and part of that comes from his confidence in his grappling. Whether he is on top or playing off his back, Lopes has a knack for finding a submission, or at least threatening one, so as to create a scramble situation.

Order UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes

What to Look For in the Fight: Volkanovski took the last 14 months to rest and recharge following two knockout losses in the span of four months, so he will enter the fight with a lot of questions swirling around him regarding rest and his chin. Lopes is an opponent who will ask those questions from “The Great” almost immediately. If the fight can play out over several rounds, Volkanovski has the track record for growing stronger as the fight goes while Lopes has yet to go five rounds in the Octagon. However, Lopes’ finishing record proves he is dangerous in every moment of the fight, and the 36-year-old Volkanovski will have to be mindful of all the dangers coming his way. Volkanovski will likely have to rely on his speed and cardio to keep Lopes on the backfoot, but whether he can do that by mixing up his martial arts as usual will come into question considering Lopes’ grappling abilities.

Co-Main Event: Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett

Michael Chandler

Key Stats: 4.49 strikes landed per minute, 9:18 average fight time, 1.59 takedowns averaged per 15 minutes

What It Means: “Iron” is an all gas, no brakes kind of fighter who is a fight fan’s dream. At times, Chandler seems to choose the most entertaining avenue to fight rather than taking the easiest path to victory, but his skill and mental toughness buoy that approach in a big way. He carries major power in every strike he throws, and his frame, while shorter, is sneaky long, and he has a good ability of darting in and out of range and timing explosive punches. He has heavy leg kicks, as well, and his athleticism aids him in getting out of poor positions.

Paddy Pimblett

Key Stats: 53.4 percent control time percentage (3rd all-time among FW), 59.6% significant striking accuracy (2nd all-time among FW), 3.39 takedowns averaged per 15 minutes

What It Means: “Thug Nasty” isn’t an imposing physical force, but he is incredibly skilled and knowledgeable when the fight hits the mat. He has a nice sense of leverage and how to use his body to maintain control, and once he finds a window for a submission, he is pretty relentless in hunting it. On the feet, he has enough skill to keep opponents honest, but his best avenue to victory is almost always through his grappling.

Jean Silva

Key Stats: 8:15 average fight time, 5.26 strikes landed per minute, 80 percent takedown defense 

What It Means: “Lord” Silva is a bundle of enthusiastic and violent energy. He likes to methodically break down his opponents with his footwork and pressure out of his wide stance, and he is dangerous moving forward and backward. He doesn’t require much to land with great impact, and his sense of range and timing shines when he throws his variety of spinning attacks, knees and elbows.

UFC 314 INTERVIEWS: Alexander Volkanovski | Diego Lopes | Yair Rodriguez | Patricio Pitbull | Michael Chandler | Paddy Pimblett

What to Look For in the Fight: Essentially, this is a striker-vs-grappler matchup. Mitchell would be well served to press Silva early and test the Brazilian’s grappling defense, but Silva has the kind of power to starch someone from any position. His defensive grappling has proven decent so far, but Mitchell is definitely the most accomplished MMA grappler he has faced so far.

Yan Xiaonan

Key Stats: +1.55 striking differential (8th all-time among WSW), 15:02 average fight time (2ndlongest all-time among WSW), 4.99 strikes landed per minute (8th)

What It Means: Light on her feet, Yan is a sharp and patient striker who likes to pepper her opponents from range and stay out of danger. She is quick and can string together long combinations that start or end with a kick to the midsection or to the legs, and she varies her targets well. She has the power to rock opponents, and she is selective with the moments she chooses to sit down on a strike. 

Virna Jandiroba

Key Stats: 40.5 percent control time percentage (4th all-time among WSW), 1.66 submissions averaged per 15 minutes (3rd all-time among WSW), 2.29 takedowns averaged per 15 minutes

What It Means: “Carcara” is a wizard of a submission artist. Over the course of her career, her striking and wrestling have improved enough to make the most of her jiu jitsu skills, but a fight with Jandiroba always comes down with how well a fighter can navigate the grappling realm. She is patient when fishing for submissions, but when she finds a window of opportunity, she pursues it with a frightening efficiency. 

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What to Look For in the Fight: Another stirker-vs-grappler matchup, Yan has shown excellent takedown defense in the past, and she does well to regain distance and get back to the center of the Octagon. Jandiroba will be at an athletic disadvantage, but if she can drag the fight to the ground, she will have her chances to either control Yan on the canvas or threaten submissions. Yan will likely circle on the outside, where she can walk Jandiroba into bigger strikes as the fight wears on and frustration sets in for the Brazilian.