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UFC 314 Recap: Volkanovski Shines, Rankings Shake Up

UFC 314 Recap: Volkanovski Shines, Rankings Shake Up

Alexander Volkanovski reminded fans why he was long considered the king at 145 lbs. With a signature win over Diego Lopes, he reclaims the featherweight title and rises one spot to champion, pushing Max Holloway, Lopes, and others down the ranks. Despite landing some big shots, Lopes simply absorbed too much damage and couldn't match Volkanovski's pace across five rounds.

The co-main event launched Paddy Pimblett into the top tier of the lightweight division. His dismantling of Michael Chandler earns him a jump to #7, overtaking Dan Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot. Pimblett’s brutal counter knee and finish on the ground show he’s ready for elite matchups.

At featherweight, Dan Ige reclaims a ranking spot at #6 with a come-from-behind stoppage of Sean Woodson. Meanwhile, Jean Silva cracks the top 10 at #10 after finishing Bryce Mitchell with a ninja choke in an eye-catching performance that had fans buzzing.

On the women's side, Virna Jandiroba dominated Yan Xiaonan and rockets up to #2 at strawweight, leapfrogging three contenders and staking a clear claim for a title shot against Zhang Weili.

Elsewhere, Nora Cornolle climbed to #11 in the women’s bantamweight division after submitting Hailey Cowan, and Mick Parkin entered the heavyweight rankings at #15, bumping Don’Tale Mayes to a tie spot.

UFC 314 might not have had the deepest card on paper, but the performances delivered — and the rankings reflect it. With veterans reaffirming their place and new names making waves, the landscape continues to shift.

Explore the Full Rankings

While these were the most notable changes from UFC 314, the event contributed to adjustments across many divisions. For a detailed look at all updates, visit:
Fight Minds UFC Rankings

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