“I’ll be back. I’ll flip the switch,” is what Alexander Volkanovski said to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, in an interview last month, “There were questions: Am I going to be able to flip the switch? Am I going to be the same guy once I flip that switch?” – this is the question that Volkanovski and the entire MMA fanbase want answered. And it won’t be long before they find out the answer.

UFC 314 is right around the corner, and all eyes are on Volkanovski’s title bout against Diego Lopes. The UFC featherweight title will officially be vacant and on the line when the bell rings for the opening round of the UFC 314 main event. Volkanovski is a former champ whose 12-fight winning run turned to two back-to-back losses after losing to Islam Makhachev in October 2023. On the other hand, Diego Lopes has won 6 back to back fights in UFC, and this will be his first title fight in the promotion. Are we going to see Volkanovski become a two-time featherweight champ and prove the haters wrong? Or will Lopes cement his legacy in the UFC? Well, we asked ChatGPT to take a break from the Ghibli trend and do the math for us.

How will Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes go down?

The AI naturally highlighted how the Aussie has a long reign in the featherweight category but is currently going through a slump. ‘The Great’ is 1-3 in his last four fights and is coming off back-to-back KO defeats at the hands of Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. As for Diego Lopes, he has had a good start in the UFC with multiple stoppages and 6 back-to-back wins. Now, what does the AI think about their fighting arsenal?

Well, it addressed ‘Volk’s’ powerful striking, which is what we have seen inside the Octagon so many times. The Aussie star is one of the most efficient strikers and mixes leg kicks with feints, along with perfect distance control. Lopes, on the other hand, throws a methodical approach out the window and is pure chaos inside the Octagon. With a sharp Muay Thai background, he uses looping punches with an unorthodox approach and combines aggression inside the cage.

When it comes to grappling and jiu-jitsu, Diego Lopes takes the prize since his submission game is top-notch. He attacks the neck from every angle and smoothly transitions from one move to the other in a scramble. However, Volkanovski can tackle this because he has survived Brian Ortega’s dangerous guillotine and triangle choke. The main question is: will Lopes be able to bring Alexander Volkanovski to the mat?

Apart from his fight arsenal, when it comes to experience and fight IQ, the Aussie is one of the savviest fighters in the UFC. He also has more experience than his opponent, and his resume not only includes a championship belt, but also fights against the elite like Max Holloway (who he beat three times), Islam Makhachev, and Jose Aldo. On the other hand, Lopes is relatively new inside the Octagon but has the advantage of age and aggression on his side. Lopes is swift and dangerous in the early rounds, and with him, a first-round submission or KO is pretty much possible. However, the 36-year-old Aussie is a master of standing his ground and surviving pressure while drowning his opponents in the later rounds. Can Lopes control the pace against a calculated fighter like Volkanovski?

UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes AI prediction

According to the AI, the battle between the featherweight stars will be a fight between method and madness. Lopes will come in guns blazing and might win round one with a few goosebumps moments. Lopes does have the ammo to end the fight early, but the Australians’ chances increase the longer the fight goes. Not to mention, he’s well rested after Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev cracked his chin twice in the span of five months.

If the five-round slugfest reaches the middle rounds, then ‘Volk’ has the upper hand. Volkanovski’s greater cardio, technique, and fight IQ could help him wear the Brazilian down. He’s gone the distance with Max Holloway three times, and Islam Makhachev once. His cardio has stood the test very well.

By the time the fight reaches around four, the Brazilian will start getting exhausted, and his gas tank might be dwindling. The former featherweight champ will grab the chance and start pouring it down with ground and pound or standing volume, whatever the fight needs. As per AI, the referee will step in after a knockdown.

While Lopes has firepower in his hands, ‘The Great’ has the added benefit of experience against elite fighters, which could be his key to victory. This could also be a Fight of the Year contender as per AI — technical brilliance vs highlight-reel chaos. But the veteran gets it done in the end with a KO. Thus, the climax according to the AI is: Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via TKO (Round 4). But we will finally know the outcome on  April 12 at UFC 314. So, are you ready for the showdown? Share your predictions below.