Expert's picks, best bets: How Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes can win at UFC 314 and PFL picks - ESPN

Alexander Volkanovski is a former UFC featherweight champion who reigned for more than four years, but he has lost his two most recent fights, both by knockout. What does Volkanovski have to do to regain the throne Saturday when he faces Diego Lopes in a fight for the vacant title at UFC 314 in Miami (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET, with prelims on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+ at 8)?

Volkanovski (26-4) has not fought since losing his title to Ilia Topuria in February 2024. But with Topuria having decided to vacate the championship to move up to lightweight, Volkanovski will get a shot at his old belt by facing Lopes (26-6), winner of five fights in a row. His most recent victory was by unanimous decision over onetime title challenger Brian Ortega last September.

Volkanovski is No. 2 and Lopes No. 4 in the ESPN featherweight rankings.

Brett Okamoto spoke to UFC featherweight Dan Ige, who is scheduled to face Sean Woodson in the UFC 314 prelims and who lost to Lopes last year, to get his perspective on the main event. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker added insight and analysis on the UFC main event and other intriguing bets he likes on that card as well as in Friday's PFL first-round matchups featuring bantamweights and women's flyweights.

Editor's note: Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Alexander Volkanovski joins «First Take» to discuss his upcoming title fight against Diego Lopes.

How Volkanovski wins: He must use his footwork and test Lopes' gas tank in the later rounds. I noticed when I fought Diego that, once I started to implement my footwork and found my range, I started to take over as he faded. That's where Volk wins. He's a great tactician, and his team always comes up with great game plans. He needs to stay