Diego Lopes: A New Featherweight Champion on the Horizon
On April 12 in Miami, Diego Lopes will face Alexander Volkanovski in a highly anticipated main event at UFC 314, with the vacant featherweight championship on the line. The belt was vacated by Ilia Topuria, who decided to pursue opportunities in the lightweight division. Lopes, a Brazilian fighter who has only tasted defeat once since joining the UFC, sees this as a pivotal moment for his career and the future of the 145-pound division. His debut loss came in a close decision against Movsar Evloev, a fighter who has since solidified his own position in the rankings with three consecutive wins, including victories over Arnold Allen and Aljamain Sterling, moving his record to a perfect 19-0.
A Road Well Traveled
Despite the tough loss to Evloev, Lopes has been relentless in his pursuit of the title, amassing five straight wins in the process. This consistency has placed him in the position to challenge Volkanovski for the title. Interestingly, Lopes has maintained a respectful approach towards Evloev, recognizing his achievements and potential for future contention. "We have to be fair, and also we can’t hide what he’s done in the division," Lopes told MMA Fighting. "It’s nine wins [in a row]. Even though it’s all by decision, the guy is undefeated in the division. He’s No. 4 in the division. Like it or not, he also defeated me. And if I win the belt, I definitely think the UFC will put him next on the line."
The Emerging Threat of Patricio Pitbull
Another name that could shake up the featherweight division is Patricio Pitbull, the former Bellator MMA featherweight champion who recently joined the UFC. Pitbull, who has had an illustrious career and is often considered one of the greatest featherweights outside the UFC, will face Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314. Lopes believes Pitbull’s performance in this bout could determine his place in the title picture. "I think it depends on how he wins the fight," Lopes said. "If he wins in good fashion, and the UFC sees it as good business, I’m sure the UFC will work and see who will be the next contender."
Legacy in the Balance
For Lopes, the opportunity to face either Evloev or Pitbull in a future bout holds unique significance. Defeating Evloev would allow him to avenge his only UFC loss and solidify his dominance in the division. On the other hand, a win over Patricio Pitbull would add a significant feather to his cap, given Pitbull’s longstanding reign as the best in Bellator. "I think any of those two fights would be good fights for my history," Lopes said. "To defeat one of the most decorated fighters in the division outside the UFC, or beat an undefeated Russian [laughs]."
The Controversy Over Deserving the Title
The lead-up to UFC 314 has not been without its share of controversy, particularly over the question of who deserves the title shot. Aljamain Sterling, a former bantamweight champion who recently lost to Evloev, took to social media to voice his opinion that Evloev was "more deserving" of the opportunity. This stance did not sit well with Lopes, who found it particularly galling coming from a fellow fighter and former champion. "It looks bad," Lopes said. "If it’s MMA fans saying it, no problem, you take it, but fighters saying it, a former champion criticizing it, I think it makes absolutely no sense. The man knows what a fighter goes through to get to an opportunity for the title and comes criticizing, saying I don’t deserve it, that it should have been Evloev. It makes no sense."
Moving Forward with Humility and Respect
Despite the challenges and the criticism, Lopes remains focused and grounded. He understands the sacrifices and hard work required to reach this point and is determined to prove his worth in the cage. His approach to the sport is marked by a blend of competitiveness and respect, recognizing the achievements of his peers while maintaining his own path to glory. "I only laughed at the things he was saying. And when he asked what was so funny about it, the joke is that I’m fighting for the belt and they’re not taking fights. That’s the joke," Lopes added. As he prepares to face Volkanovski, Lopes is ready to make history and shape the future of the featherweight division, one fight at a time.
