After several weeks of intense speculation, Dana White has finally dropped some major bombshells. The UFC boss took to Instagram Live to announce a slew of significant updates, including Ilia Topuria’s decision to move up to lightweight, leaving his featherweight belt vacant. This move has paved the way for a thrilling matchup between Aleksander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the vacant title at UFC 314 in Miami.
In the co-main event, Michael Chandler will face off against Paddy Pimblett, a highly anticipated bout that promises to be an exhilarating clash of styles. Chandler, ranked seventh in the lightweight division, is looking to bounce back from his recent defeat against Charles Oliveira, while Pimblett is riding a wave of momentum. Dana White has also revealed the entire lineup for the event, providing fans with a glimpse into the exciting puzzle that is slowly coming together.
One of the biggest surprises of the day was the announcement of Patricio Pitbull’s signing with the UFC. The Brazilian fighter, a former double champion in Bellator, will make his debut against Yair Rodríguez, the always-entertaining fifth-ranked featherweight. Additionally, Carlos Prates will take on Geoff Neal, the tenth-ranked welterweight, in what promises to be a thrilling contest. The event will also feature other mouth-watering matchups, including Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes and Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba.
The welter weight chaos
Dana White’s avalanche of announcements didn’t stop there. The UFC boss also revealed a significant setback in the welterweight division, which has sent shockwaves throughout the MMA world. Initially, Shavkat Rakhmonov was set to face Belal Muhammad for the UFC 315 title, but an injury to the Kazakh fighter has led to a change in plans. Jack Della Maddalena will now challenge for the title, while Belal Muhammad will face a new opponent. The Australian fighter was initially scheduled to face Leon Edwards on March 22, but that bout has been scrapped, and Edwards will now take on Brady instead. As Belal Muhammad joked on social media, “I stole Leon’s belt and opponent.”
“I stole Leon belt and opponent”
Belal Muhammad, welterweight champion
The UFC has confirmed that Valentina Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315, adding another exciting matchup to the card. With these announcements, Dana White has once again proven his ability to shake up the world of MMA with his signature style, using his Instagram Live and the infamous Selfie Chamber to break the news. The coming weeks are expected to bring even more excitement, with Ilia Topuria’s first lightweight bout set to be made official, marking a welcome return to action for the UFC after a relatively slow start to the year.