The featherweight division has seen its fair share of drama lately. Ilia Topuria’s stunning knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 has made the championship landscape much more interesting. Diego Lopes, who served as the backup fighter for UFC 308, is now making waves of his own. With the champion expressing interest in taking some time off and the UFC eyeing a potential Spain debut event, an opportunity has emerged.
Lopes has his sights set on an interim title bout against former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Sydney. The timing couldn’t be better as the February 9th event in Volkanovski’s backyard provides the perfect stage for such a showdown.
“It all just makes sense right now… If you want to keep this division active, it would make the most sense to have the interim title fight [against Volkanovksi] in Sydney.”
While he acknowledged that being a backup fighter didn’t guarantee him a title shot, he had positioned himself smartly. Lopes isn’t interested in taking any other fights unless they lead directly to gold. His team’s focus remains laser-sharp on either Volkanovski or waiting for their shot at Topuria.
What makes this potential matchup particularly intriguing is the stylistic clash. Both Lopes and Volkanovski are known for their pressure-heavy approaches. It’s the kind of fight that could end in spectacular fashion at any moment. The fact that Volkanovski has already shown interest in this scenario adds another layer of intrigue to the situation.
Max Holloway Showers Praise On Diego Lopes
The featherweight division has always been a breeding ground for exceptional talent and compelling storylines. Recently, it’s been lighting up with even more electricity as rising star Lopes catches the attention of division veterans. Among those taking notice is none other than Max Holloway.
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The former featherweight champion didn’t hold back when discussing Lopes’s recent performances in the octagon. Holloway, known for his iron chin and warrior spirit, had nothing but high praise for the surging contender.
“He’s an animal. The way he’s been fighting. Taking fights on short notice. Showing up in those short notice fights, and he’s a beast,” said Holloway via MMA Fighting.
The Hawaiian warrior seemed genuinely impressed by Diego Lopes’s willingness to take short-notice fights and his dominant performances in them. And now, with UFC 308 in the past, the Brazilian is looking for a step up in competition as he eyes the featherweight gold!
Also Read: Diego Lopes Finally Gets His Hand Raised At The Las Vegas Sphere – “Absolute Beast”
