MMA
Exclusive: Arnold Allen predicts winners for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes and Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Check your region for UFC 314 on DAZN PPV
The featherweight division will have a new champion at UFC 314 when Diego Lopes takes on Alexander Volkanovski. It's expected to be a close fight between the former champion and one of the new contenders.
Arnold Allen, ranked seventh in the division, revealed his Volkanowski vs. Lopes prediction for DAZN News.
"It's a tough one, because Volk, obviously, has been knocked out twice recently," Allen said. "Diego Lopes comes out hard and fast and he's on a great streak. I think Lopes has to take him out in the first two rounds. He must not let Volkanovski build his confidence and should keep him wary of the shots.
"But if it goes past round two, I think Volkanovski wins. Rounds three, four, and five, Volkanovski wins. Lopes always gets tired. We've never seen him fresh in round three. He fights to kill."
The co-main event of the evening sees Michael Chandler facing Paddy Pimblett in a highly anticipated lightweight match-up. For Allen, his fellow Briton is the favourite in that fight.
"I think Paddy Pimblett wins," he said. "Michael Chandler, everyone makes jokes and says he has low fight IQ. He fights crazy, and he does. Paddy Pimblett, I think he's a lot smarter than people think. I think in his earlier fights, he fought with a lot of passion."
Pimblett is still unbeaten in the UFC and is on a six-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming against Bobby Green after a first-round submission. Allen believes Pimblett's unpredictable style makes him a dangerous opponent.
"He was wild, swinging and throwing submissions," Allen said. "Now he seems to be more composed. He's focused and he has a great skill set. He's a very awkward opponent to fight, and that’s a compliment. You can't just rush him and throw punches. You can't just take him down and expect him not to throw up submissions. He's dangerous everywhere. And yeah, I think he'll get the win."
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Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and DAZN PPV is the only place to watch them all.
- April 26: Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn
- May 2: Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
- May 3: Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull
Arch rivals Eubank Jr. and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £21.99 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.
Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN. These two PPV's prices are yet to be confirmed.
