Diego Lopes, a formidable contender in the UFC featherweight division with a professional record of 26 wins and 6 losses, has made headlines by confirming that he will not be facing Yair Rodriguez, as previously rumored for the UFC on ESPN 64 main event in Mexico City. Lopes clarified this point in an interview with Submission Radio, where he emphasized the UFC’s instructions to take a step back for now, signaling that they may have larger plans for him. “They told me, ‘OK now you sit down, you stay here, relax. Maybe we do a big fight for you,'” Lopes recounted. In an ever-evolving division, such interruptions can be frustrating, but Lopes recognizes their potential benefit—focusing his energy on getting ready for a more significant title shot.
With the UFC featherweight championship picture constantly shifting, Lopes finds himself at the center of ongoing speculation. The imminent potential move of current champion Ilia Topuria to lightweight is a significant turning point in the division. Many fighters, including Lopes, are closely monitoring Topuria’s status, as it could possibly lead to a vacant title. “If (Topuria) moves, I think I’m next for the title to face Volk,” Lopes stated, highlighting his ambition and readiness to seize the opportunity. He expressed uncertainty about the division’s hierarchy as Topuria’s potential shift could alter many rankings and forthcoming matchups.
Proposed Fight with Volkanovski
As Lopes contemplates the possibility of fighting Volkanovski, he sees an opening that aligns perfectly with his ranking. Volkanovski has been vocal about his plans and even suggested that a matchup with Lopes at UFC 314 would make sense strategically. Lopes corroborated this sentiment, saying, “I think me, Alex makes sense for the fight. April for me is really good timing.” Should Topuria vacate the title, Lopes’s trajectory towards a title shot appears to be smoother as he is already positioned as the third-ranked contender.
Coming off an impressive victory against Brian Ortega at UFC 306, Lopes is brimming with confidence as he prepares for what could potentially be a title fight against Volkanovski, boasting a track record of success and experience. Lopes acknowledges Volkanovski’s extensive fight history, particularly his stamina in five-round bouts, saying, “Alex has a lot of experience in UFC; this guy, I think his last 10 fights were five rounds.” When assessing his compatibility with the former champion, Lopes feels poised and believes he has demonstrated his readiness in the cage.
With a championship bout possibly on the horizon, Diego Lopes embodies an exciting mix of aspiration and determination. As he trains diligently to keep himself prepared, all eyes in the UFC featherweight division remain firmly set on how these developments unfold, especially regarding a potential clash with the seasoned champion, Alexander Volkanovski.