Diego Lopes eyes potential clash with former champion and P4P 'Great' on historical UFC event
07/04/2024 09:44 AM
As 25-6 contender Diego Lopes looks to continue his ascent, the fan-favorite featherweight is eyeing an enormous return at UFC 306 in September.
Following his victory at UFC 303 last weekend, fan-favorite Brazilian star Diego Lopes wants to return in just a few short months' time on yet another historic UFC card; and he knows exactly who'll make the perfect dance partner.
Diego Lopes moves up two spots in the rankings with UFC 303 victory
Despite his crowd-pleasing victory at UFC 303 over Dan Ige, Brazilian finisher Diego Lopes failed to enter the Top 10 of the official featherweight rankings with Tuesday's update.
Lopes now sits in the #12 spot, rising only above Bryce Mitchell and Dan Ige, and after losing his UFC debut to Movsar Evloev, he currently rides an impressive four-fight winning streak.
Speaking to Joe Rogan in Las Vegas, Lopes hinted that he'd like another quick turnaround to return for UFC 306 (UFC Noche) at The Sphere – but who could the rising contender face next?
Diego Lopes eyes potential clashes with Ortega, Volkanovski for UFC Noche
Given both his momentum in the octagon and in the court of public opinion, Lopes likely wields some serious leverage with the UFC over his next fight and potential opponent.
Speaking via MMA Junkie's Hablemos MMA YouTube channel, Lopes clarified that there are only two fighters in his crosshairs for that historic event at the Las Vegas megastructure; either his original UFC 303 opponent, Brian 'T-City' Ortega, or former featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
"They said I could fight at The Sphere, Dana White said at the press conference and yeah, if they can re-book the fight, that would be great… We do have to see how he [Ortega] is health-wise and if he truly wants to return to 145 pounds and go through all that process.
"UFC would have to talk to him about that, but I already mentioned to the UFC that if it's not Ortega, we would like a fight against Volkanovski. We want a fight against him."
Lopes reaffirmed his belief that his instant acceptance of the UFC 303 fight being moved up from featherweight to lightweight, then to catchweight and finally the switch to Dan Ige, that he has earned the right to call his shot.
"With what we've done and the favors we've done for the UFC, I think we have some points [scored] with them so we can push for certain fights, fights in the top five.
"So, if it were up to me, Ortega or Volkanovski at The Sphere would be perfect."
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Lopes delivers fans a rare 20-16 as online exchanges turn brutal
One name that was missed out on his UFC Noche callout was the man who bested him in his UFC debut, undefeated Russian contender Movsar Evloev.
Evloev certainly hasn't been happy with the reception that Lopes has earned from the fanbase in recent months and following UFC 303, called for the rematch to take place at The Sphere in September.
Yet Lopes wasn't having any of it, delivering a rare 20-16 scorecard as he brutally shot down the possibility of giving his shine to the divisive grappler.
"Have you finally realized that the way the UFC pays attention to you is by mentioning my name? Or are you afraid that tomorrow morning I’ll be in your place in the rankings? It took you 3 months to get back to me. Sit back and watch the big guys do the work…
"On Saturday night, Dan and I did something you would never do in your life. You’ve only had one fight in 13 months. You have no right to anything. First you seek to finish someone, or at least try to get a submission."
Well played Diego, well played…
UFC 306, also known as UFC Noche, goes down on September 14 live from The Sphere in Las Vegas.
