Alexander Volkanovski becomes two-time champ at UFC 314

Former champion Alexander Volkanovski regained his once undisputed UFC featherweight championship Saturday night opposite Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314 by winning a unanimous decision 48-47, 49-46, 49-46 in Miami.

The fight lived up to expectations, with both men staying composed on their feet despite a near-fight-changing sequence from Lopes (26-7 MMA) by dropping Volkanovski (27-4 MMA) in the final seconds of Round 2.

Nevertheless, the volume of Volkanovski's striking made the difference despite being unable to find a home for the knockout.

"It's good to be back," Volkanovski said after the win.

As for Lopes, he gave his full respect to the champion but wanted the crowd to know this is not the end of the journey.

"It was an honor to share the Octagon with Alexander Volkanovski," Lopes said. "I'll be back."

The co-main event saw Paddy Pimblett use his potent striking and relentless pace to put away Michael Chandler with an effortless third-round TKO to remain unbeaten in the UFC. Pimblett (23-3 MMA) is firmly in title contention, while Chandler (23-10 MMA) returns to the drawing board now suffering back-to-back losses at lightweight.

Featherweight Yair Rodriguez earned a unanimous decision against the debuting Patricio Pitbull, taking the scorecards 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.

Primarily a striking battle, Rodriguez caught Pitbull with a right hand in Round 3 before swarming the former Bellator star with punches to seal the deal. Rodriguez (21-5 MMA) ended a two-fight skid, while Pitbull (36-8 MMA) hadn't tasted defeat in nearly two years after spending 14 years under the Bellator banner.

Jean Silva won a grudge match against the charismatic Bryce Mitchell in the main card's second fight. Silva (16-2 MMA) submitted