The most anticipated fight card of the year so far is almost upon us. 

On Saturday night, former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will seek to regain the 145-pound championship he lost to Ilia Topuria last year when he battles Diego Lopes for the now-vacant belt as he seeks to avenge his sole career defeat in the weight class against Lopes, an ultra-aggressive fighter who has emerged in recent performances as being among the foremost threats in the division.

Elsewhere, Paddy Pimblett takes on what is unanimously regarded as the toughest test of his career when he fights the former Bellator champion Michael Chandler in what represents for the Liverpool man an opportunity to establish himself as a title contender at 155-pounds, while Bryce Mitchell will look to overcome his recent controversies when he tangles with the Brazilian buzzsaw Jean Silva in what has become one of the most anticipated bouts on the card.

Patricio Pitbull, another former Bellator champion, will also make his UFC debut against the former title challenger Yair Rodriguez and Dominck Reyes fights Nikita Krylov in a light heavyweight bout.

Each of the featured cast of playere were in attendance in Miami on Thursday evening for what was at time a heated pre-fight press conference, and you can check it out in full below.

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