Tag: Diego Lopes

Diego Lopes down for a point-and-brawl invitation from Ilia Topuria: ‘I’m not afraid of anyone’

Diego Lopes has no problem accepting a point-and-brawl invitation from UFC champ Ilia Topuria.

Fans missed out on a middle-of-the-cage shootout between [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and Max Holloway. However, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] promises that wouldn’t be the case if he were to get a crack at the champion.

Last month at UFC 308, Topuria pointed to the middle of the cage, inviting Holloway to brawl during their UFC featherweight championship fight in Abu Dhabi. Holloway, who’s made the point-and-brawl move notorious in the UFC, opted out from the exchange with the heavy-handed Topuria.

Unlike Holloway, Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) says that’s an invitation he’d welcome with mo problem.

“Definitely, definitely, definitely,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked if he’d throw down with Topuria. “I’m telling you, I respect everyone, but I’m not afraid of anyone. If there’s anything I don’t have, it’s fear. I think I’ve shown that in all my fights. I’ve shown that I’m not afraid of anyone.

“As many times as he wants to point to the ground, I will plant my feet in the middle of the cage and throw down. It’s that easy.”

Unfortunately for Holloway, although he opted out from the brawl with Topuria, after a couple of close rounds, he was eventually was knocked out. It was Holloway’s first knockout loss in his lengthy and tested MMA career.

Although hungry to get a shot at the belt, Lopes admits it was hard to see Holloway’s legendary chin get cracked for the first time.

“I think everyone felt it,” Lopes said. “As a fan, removing myself the fighter, like a fan, I think it hurt all of us to see Max Holloway in that situation. Imagine, I think all MMA fans have been now watching Holloway for years and we’ve never seen him in a situation like this. We never imagined this would happen, and when it did, it was a big surprise.  But credit to Topuria, he did a great job. He did what he said he was going to do. He kept his promise.”

Lopes, who’s ranked No. 3 in the UFC official featherweight rankings, is riding a five-fight winning streak with his most recent victory coming by way of decision over former UFC title challenger Brian Ortega. Lopes has expressed interest speaking with MMA Junkie in being the next challenger for Topuria or a title eliminator bout against Alexander Volkanovski.

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Video: UFC’s Diego Lopes throws giant cakes at fans during Steve Aoki concert in Mexico

UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes was on stage to assist with what’s become a Steve Aoki concert tradition.

Steve Aoki fans in Mexico got a big surprise during his Guadalajara tour stop.

The famous DJ, who is also an avid MMA fan, invited [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] as a special guest Monday night. Apart from his sets, Aoki has made a tradition of throwing giant cakes at the crowd during his shows and, well, this time he had help from the UFC featherweight contender.

Watch here (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB_x_QYxJ8M/?igsh=MXM5NnJqajFiaTFqYQ%3D%3D

Although he wasn’t needed, Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) recently served as the official backup for the UFC 308 title fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway last month in Abu Dhabi. He’s currently ranked No. 3 in the official UFC rankings and has yet to be booked.

Lopes is on a five-fight wining streak, with the most recent victory a dominant unanimous decision over former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 306 in September.

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Diego Lopes wants UFC title shot vs. Ilia Topuria, promises car crash fight: ‘I won’t be backing up’

Diego Lopes makes his case to be the next challenger for UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.

[autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] has his sights set on [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s UFC featherweight title, and he’s not afraid to go and take it from him.

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), a streaking title contender at 145 pounds, wants to be the next person to challenge Ilia Topuria, and he believes he’s more than deserving to call for a title shot, given the body of work he’s put together in 2024.

“If they asked me what arguments there are for me to be the next one, I say: I’m on a good streak; I’ve beaten three people in the rankings this year; I’m at No. 3, and Topuria has beaten the two fighters that are above me in the rankings,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’re the new blood of the division, and this is a renewal bout for the division.

“I think for a long time, all the championship fights have either involved Volkanovski or Holloway. This fight will be a renewal. Also, this fight can be done in Spain or anywhere in Latin America and be promoted 100 percent in Spanish for all the Hispanic people. Those are the arguments that I bring to the table.”

Topuria is coming off a historic win at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Not only did he complete his first title defense, but he also became the first man to knock out Max Holloway.

Topuria has put away six of the eight opponents he’s faced in the UFC and has proven he’s one of the most dangerous fighters in the game. Although Lopes respects his craft, the Lobo Gym and Brazilian Warriors product is in no way afraid of his power, and sees Topuria as a good matchup.

“What I bring to the table, simply put, is the power in my hands, definitely, the explosivity in my striking, my volume, and I’d say the main thing is that I don’t fear anyone,” Lopes said. “I don’t fear anyone. Just like he goes to punish, so do I.

“If the fight does go down, it will be a clash, a clash. If he moves forward, he’s going to run into a wall. That’s what I bring. I won’t be backing up, moving side to side, looking to maintain the fight at a distance. I like the clash. I like coming in and clashing. That’s where I feel comfortable, and that’s also his game, so I think the style favors me.”

Lopes told MMA Junkie that he’s open to face Alexander Volkanovski for an interim title in early 2025 if Topuria were to take a break from the sport. However, his ideal scenario is a title shot, which he feels confident can happen next.

“If we’re talking about numbers and results, not to brag, but I think I’m in a good position to ask for the title,” Lopes said. “Before April 10, before UFC 300, I wasn’t in the UFC rankings. However, since, I’ve beaten three ranked fighters, and I’ve positioned myself at No. 3. I think based on merit, I’ve earned the position that I’m in. Topuria just knocked out No. 1 and 2, and I’m No. 3. I think I have arguments to call for this title fight.”

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Diego Lopes welcomes potential Alexander Volkanovski fight at UFC 312 in Sydney

A clear-cut UFC featherweight title eliminator could take place Down Under this February.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] traveled across the world because of maybe.

Maybe, he’ll fight. Maybe, he won’t.

Four days out from UFC 308, Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) doesn’t know. He’s the emergency backup for the featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

“I’m training for both guys,” Lopes told MMA Junkie at UAE Warriors 55 on Tuesday “… I’m ready for everything, bro.”

In usual classy fashion (though unusually fluent English explanation), Lopes explained that he hopes his services are not needed. He wishes both main event competitors the best and is as excited as the fans to see the fight.

“I’m so excited too, to watch the fight,” Lopes said. “I hope Friday morning that everything is OK and the guys stay healthy for the fight this Saturday. I’m so excited for this Saturday night. … But if the UFC needs me, I’m ready.”

Should he not fight, it’s possible the stars will align for a UFC 312 battle vs. Alexander Volkanovski in Sydney. The event is scheduled for Feb. 8 (Feb. 9 local). At a recent press conference announcing the event, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) name-dropped Lopes as a potential opponent.

Lopes loves that idea and said if his services aren’t needed at UFC 308, he’s ready and hopeful a fight vs. Volkanovski comes to fruition.

“If UFC has this plan, yeah,” Lopes said. “I’m ready for the fight vs. Volkanovski in Australia. I think it’s the biggest deal for the division for the next title fight. If the UFC me as the fighter to fight Volkanovski in Australia, I’m ready. … Title or no title, I’m excited for the fight vs. Volk.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

 

Would UFC 308 backup Diego Lopes rather fight Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway on short notice? He explains.

Diego Lopes may or may not fight for the title next week, and he shares his preference for opponent should his services be needed at UFC 308.

[autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] may or may not find himself in a UFC championship fight later this month.

The fan-favorite Brazilian will serve as the official backup for the UFC featherweight title fight between champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and former champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] on Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This means Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has been training and will weigh in for the bout, just in case either headliner is forced to withdraw from the bout.

So who would Lopes rather face in an ideal scenario: Topuria or Holloway?

“I definitely would rather fight with Ilia for the undisputed title. That would be amazing,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’ve also really analyzed everything. We’ve sat down to analyze both fighters. People might take this the wrong way and say, ‘No, I don’t believe him,’ but I think for me, a fight against Topuria would be a better matchup for my style.

“It’s a fight that suits me. Against Max, it’s a fight where we have to mount a more complex strategy with no errors. With Topuria, as well, I’m not saying no, but I think against him things would be more favorable because I like to exchange and clash, and I hit hard. I’m capable of knocking out people. And since Ilia throws with everything and I throw with everything, we can say it’s a shootout and let’s see who falls first. So the fight against Ilia definitely suits more my style.”

Lopes previously told MMA Junkie that his dream fight would be against Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC). However, under this scenario, if he were to fight Holloway it would likely be for an interim title, given that Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is the champion. This makes a potential fight with Topuria a better choice.

Lopes’ services won’t be needed if both fighters make weight and stay on course. If the fight does go down, Lopes sides with the former champion.

“I’m still giving an edge to Holloway due to all the experience he has in that octagon and all the fighters he’s faced,” Lopes said. “He’s also never been knocked out, but we know anything can happen, and Ilia has power in his hands. However, I’m still giving the advantage to Max.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Francis Ngannou’s PFL debut, UFC 310, Topuria-Holloway heats up

On “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses Francis Ngannou’s MMA return and PFL debut, UFC 310 bookings and much more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Matthew Wells and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 1 p.m ET (10 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • UFC Fight Night 244 saw the end of flyweight prospect Tatsuro Taira’s undefeated record. Recent title challenger Brandon Royval picked up his second win since he lost to champ Alexandre Pantoja this past December when he outpointed Taira in a hard-fought split decision. Does Royval deserve the next title shot? Where does Taira go from here? We discuss.
  • UFC CEO Dana White announced the headlining bouts for the promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year. A welterweight matchup between champion [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] and challenger [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] headlines the event, with a flyweight championship fight between [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] and [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] in the co-main. We review these UFC 310  headlining bouts along with the overall strength of the card.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] had a digital faceoff this past week ahead of their featherweight championship bout in the main event of UFC 308. The dual interview, organized by the UFC, had plenty of highlights and tense moments. We discuss some of the comments made by Topuria and Holloway, along with the news that [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] will serve as the backup for the fight.
  • Saturday, the PFL will put on arguably its biggest event yet – PFL: Battle of the Giants. The pay-per-view card features the highly anticipated return of former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag], who takes on [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] in the main event. Additionally, [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] makes her PFL debut against [autotag]Larissa Pacheco[/autotag], [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] returns to action against [autotag]Paul Hughes[/autotag], and much more. We preview the card.

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Diego Lopes excited to be UFC 308 backup for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’m doing everything as if I were fighting’

Rising UFC star Diego Lopes discusses his backup for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway at UFC 308.

Just a little over a year into his UFC career, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] has experienced a run matched by few.

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) finds himself sitting at No. 3 on the UFC official rankings, one of the most popular fighters on the roster, and serving as the official backup for the upcoming main event featherweight title fight pitting [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] at UFC 308. This opportunity has Lopes over the moon, and he can’t help but be in awe of how things have played out in his career.

“It excites me a ton, it really does,” Lopes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “If something comes up, and I fight for the belt and win, my life would be a movie. It would be insane.

“Just four years ago, I went to Abu Dhabi in October because Irene was fighting Holly Holm, and I remember Jason House came up to me and said he wanted to work with me. ‘Hey, I want to help you. I want to work with you. I have faith in you that you can be champion one day.’ I said, ‘No, I don’t want to work with anyone.’ He kept insisting and insisting until I said yes. And now, four years later, after signing with him, after telling me he believed I could be champion, four years later and I’m going to Abu Dhabi in October to be the backup for a title fight. It’s just something incredible.”

Getting the backup for UFC 308 was an easy ask for Lopes, who’s on a five-fight winning streak. His most recent victory came last month against former title challenger Brian Ortega.

“After the fight, we expressed our desire to be the backup, but we ever demanded it, we simply just told them, ‘Hey, if you guys are in need of a backup, I’m available, and ready,” Lopes explained. “If not, I’d like to fight in December against Volka (Alexander Volkanovski), if he’s available. So that was it. A few weeks went by, and the UFC sent us an e-mail saying we’ll be the backup and that’s it. It was a lot easier than I expected.”

Lopes is taking his backup role seriously, especially after what he went through at UFC 303 in June. The Brazilian filled in the card on short notice to fight Ortega. However, due to health complications, Ortega withdrew from the card just a few hours before their scheduled bout. In just hours’ notice, Dan Ige filled in and fought Lopes.

With that experience in hand, Lopes will remain ready to fight Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) or Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) until he sees them both step into the octagon on Oct. 26.

“I’m doing everything as if I were fighting on the card,” Lopes said. “I spoke to my nutritionist, and I told him, I don’t know how other backups do it, but I’m not just planning to make the weight, and that’s it. I’m really doing everything as if I were fighting. I’m going to Abu Dhabi next week, and I’m taking six people with me. I’m paying them everything, and I’m doing the adequate preparation as if I were fighting that night. I plan on making the weight well and being in shape. I’m not just going to weigh in to pocket a paycheck. No, I’m doing everything as if I were fighting.

“Even the day of the fight, until I see both guys inside the octagon, that’s when I’m tuning off the switch. Something that had never happened, which was a fight falling through two hours before it happened with me. So after that, I can expect just anything, so I’ll be ready.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Diego Lopes says he’s UFC 308 backup fighter for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

What a 16 months it’s been for Diego Lopes, from UFC debutant to the doorstep of a title fight.

A top featherweight contender says he’s been picked by the promotion to serve as a backup fighter for an upcoming pay-per-view.

[autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] announced Friday on Instagram that he’ll serve as the Oct. 26 backup fighter for the UFC 308 title fight between champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and challenger [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]. The event takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

“Officially back up for the fight on October 26th,” Lopes wrote in a collaboration post with his management Iridium Sports Agency. “See you in Abu Dhabi ”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAcFvDLti0i/

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has emerged as a budding star for the UFC less than 17 months into his promotional tenure. A short-notice debut loss to Movsar Evloev immediately gained Lopes a ton of fans for putting forth a competitive outing against one of the division’s best fighters. Since then, he’s defeated Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, and most recently Brian Ortega, in succession to clinch a backup fighter role.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) aims to defend the title for the first time since winning it vs. Alexander Volkanovski. Meanwhile, Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) bids to hold gold once again after a three-fight winning streak that includes Arnold Allen, Chan Sung Jung, and Justin Gaethje.

Full UFC 308 fight card lineup

  • Champion Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway – for featherweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
  • Rafael dos Anjos vs. Geoff Neal
  • Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira
  • Brunno Ferreira vs. Abus Magomedov
  • Myktybek Orolbai vs. Mateusz Rebecki
  • Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Justin Tafa
  • Said Nurmagomedov vs. Daniel Santos

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Aljamain Sterling open to Diego Lopes if Movsar Evloev rebooking falls through

“If I’m going to risk it for the biscuit, that’s the guy I would risk it with,” Aljamain Sterling said of Diego Lopes.

[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] has another top UFC featherweight contender in mind if he doesn’t end up fighting [autotag]Movsar Evloev[/autotag].

Former bantamweight champion Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) was forced out of his UFC 307 bout vs. Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) on Oct. 5 due to an injury. Evloev wanted to remain on the card but withdrew after a replacement couldn’t be found.

If the UFC doesn’t rebook him against Evloev at a later date, Sterling is interested in [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), whom he praised for the way he’s risen.

“I think Diego rising to his stardom and his rise in the sport in the UFC has been huge. It’s nothing short of inspiring, to be honest,” Sterling told The Schmo. “I’m happy for the guy. I got to train with him one time. He was a very nice dude, very polite. I can kind of feel the tension shift a little bit now whenever I see him.

“It seems like there’s a little bit more tension there. It’s not like I’m fighting him tomorrow or he’s my next scheduled fight. So for me, I don’t really see a point in being like that. But I can understand why he’s a little bit more on guard when seeing me or meeting me.”

Sterling sees red-hot Lopes, who’s fresh off battering Brian Ortega at UFC 306, as the opponent to catapult him to title contention.

“If we’re talking about the next best fight, if Movsar declines, I just don’t know who else would he fight,” Sterling said. “But if he gives me the option, I’ve always wanted Brian Ortega, so I could get the closest spot to the top, and now that next closest guy is Diego Lopes.

“That’s all it is. It has nothing to do with what this guy did or that. It’s the name value and what it gets me, risk vs. reward. If I’m going to risk it for the biscuit, that’s the guy I would risk it with.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Dan Ige feels confident after Diego Lopes ‘made it look easy’ vs. Brian Ortega at UFC 306

Watching Diego Lopes dominate Brian Ortega gave Dan Ige a better gauge of where he stands in the UFC featherweight division.

Watching [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] dominate [autotag]Brian Ortega[/autotag] gave [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] a better gauge of where he stands in the UFC featherweight division.

Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) battered former title challenger Ortega this past Saturday at UFC 306 to emerge as a title contender. Prior to that, Lopes was tested in a unanimous decision win over Ige, who stepped in on just hours’ notice at UFC 303 in June.

“I thought he made it look easy,” Ige told Middle Easy on Lopes’ win over Ortega. “Nothing’s easy, but the way he went out there, he hurt Brian early. Anyone could say, ‘Yeah, he could’ve finished him,’ but he took a risk. I think he wanted to make a point. I think he wanted to try to submit him just to prove a point.

“But that cost him and then he had to go through a three-round fight. But, for the most part, he dominated. He looked really good in every aspect of the standup and the grappling, and, yeah, he’s a hard hitter, man. I felt his power when I was in there with him.”

Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) will look to rebound when he meets undefeated rising contender Lerone Murphy (14-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Although he’s coming off a loss to Lopes, he takes solace in knowing he can compete well with the top contenders in the division.

“But if anything, it just gives me more confidence,” Ige said of Lopes. “He’s No. 3 now and to be able to fight a guy like that on short notice, literally three hours’ notice and not actually game plan for someone like that and still have moments in the fight, it just gives me confidence in anything else.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.