Diego Lopes is determined to bounce back from his recent UFC championship loss and secure another title shot. He has his sights set on facing a top contender in the division, with two specific names in mind.
Lopes is aiming to make his comeback on September 13 at this year’s Noche UFC event, which celebrates Mexican Independence. The event is scheduled to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, where Lobo Gym is located, and where Lopes trains extensively. He hopes to face either Yair Rodriguez or Movsar Evloev in his next bout.
“My focus is on fighting at Noche UFC in September,” Lopes told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “I’d like to have a rematch against Movsar (Evloev) or a fight against Yair (Rodriguez). Either of those matchups would bring me closer to the title.”
Lopes recently fought Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title but came up short, losing via unanimous decision.
Despite the loss, Lopes believes he is not far from earning another title shot, especially given his impressive performance against Volkanovski and his previous winning streak. He is confident that a strong showing in his next fight could propel him towards a title opportunity.
When it comes to his preferred opponent, Lopes has no preference between Rodriguez and Evloev, as he has history with both fighters.
If he were to face Evloev again, it would be a rematch of their competitive bout in 2023, which earned them the Fight of the Night bonus. On the other hand, his feud with Rodriguez stems from a heated exchange prior to UFC 314.
Both potential matchups excite Lopes, as he is solely focused on securing a path to the title.
“The fights I need to take are the ones that guarantee me a title shot,” Lopes stated. “Regardless of the opponent, I want to be one win away from fighting for the belt. That’s the fight I’m after.”
Lopes views Evloev as the most deserving contender for the title shot, but acknowledges that Rodriguez is also a strong contender. He is prepared to face either fighter in his quest for the championship.
“Movsar definitely deserves the next title shot at 145 pounds,” Lopes affirmed. “He has worked his way up and won crucial fights to earn this opportunity. As for Rodriguez, he also put on a good performance in his last fight, making him a worthy contender. Whichever fighter doesn’t get the title shot should face me.”