Diego Lopes made his UFC debut in May 2023, facing Movsar Evloev at UFC 288 and losing by unanimous decision. Fast forward less than two years later, and Lopes is now on the cusp of a UFC featherweight title shot, thanks to reigning champion Ilia Topuria vacating the title to move up in weight.
With a five-fight win streak under his belt, Lopes is set to headline UFC 314 in Miami on April 12. His opponent? Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, with the vacant 145-pound title up for grabs.
Reflecting on his journey, Lopes expressed his surprise at the turn of events but conveyed his excitement for the opportunity. He had been eyeing a title shot after defeating Brian Ortega at UFC 306 and is now ready to face Volkanovski for the belt.
While there was talk of a potential fight in Mexico City, Lopes remained focused on his goal of fighting for a title. Now, with Volkanovski as his next opponent, he is ready for the challenge.
Looking ahead, Lopes acknowledged Topuria’s decision to move to lightweight and speculated on his future matchups. As for Volkanovski, Lopes is prepared to face a formidable opponent who is hungry to reclaim his former glory.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the vacant title, Lopes views his upcoming bout with Volkanovski as a legitimate championship fight. And while he looks forward to the challenge ahead, he also envisions a potential showdown with Topuria in the future.
As the stage is set for UFC 314, Lopes is determined to prove himself against the best in the division and etch his name in the annals of UFC history.