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Title fight set
Lopes will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, according to UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Lopes is certainly deserving of this shot after five consecutive dominant victories, but most thought it would come against Ilia Topuria, who was the champion at featherweight up until Wednesday. Topuria is set to vacate the belt and move up to lightweight, however, which leaves Lopes in line to face the former champion, who had one of the most dominant runs in featherweight history. Youth and momentum are on the side of Lopes, as Volkanovski is 36 years old and has lost three of his last four, though no man other than Topuria and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev have beaten him. Look for this to be an exciting affair filled with high-volume striking.
Lopes is certainly deserving of this shot after five consecutive dominant victories, but most thought it would come against Ilia Topuria, who was the champion at featherweight up until Wednesday. Topuria is set to vacate the belt and move up to lightweight, however, which leaves Lopes in line to face the former champion, who had one of the most dominant runs in featherweight history. Youth and momentum are on the side of Lopes, as Volkanovski is 36 years old and has lost three of his last four, though no man other than Topuria and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev have beaten him. Look for this to be an exciting affair filled with high-volume striking.
Rolls past Brian Ortega
Lopes defeated Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC 306 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
These two were scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in late July, only to have Ortega withdraw just hours before the bout. Dan Ige got off his couch -- literally -- and stepped in, dropping a unanimous decision to Lopes. The two finally got it on here, and Diego left zero doubt who the better man was. Lopes dropped Ortega moments after the opening bell rang, and that one blow set the tone for the rest of the fight. Diego probably would have got the stoppage if he just allowed Brian to return to his feet, but he decided to go to the ground with his opponent, seemingly hoping to prove a point. The finish never materialized the rest of the way, but Lopes was in full control throughout. A win over Ortega doesn't mean as much in 2024 as it did just a handful of years ago, but he was still by far the best opponent Lopes had faced to date, and Lopes passed the test with flying colors. Diego may just need one more big victory to earn himself a title shot at 145 pounds.
These two were scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in late July, only to have Ortega withdraw just hours before the bout. Dan Ige got off his couch -- literally -- and stepped in, dropping a unanimous decision to Lopes. The two finally got it on here, and Diego left zero doubt who the better man was. Lopes dropped Ortega moments after the opening bell rang, and that one blow set the tone for the rest of the fight. Diego probably would have got the stoppage if he just allowed Brian to return to his feet, but he decided to go to the ground with his opponent, seemingly hoping to prove a point. The finish never materialized the rest of the way, but Lopes was in full control throughout. A win over Ortega doesn't mean as much in 2024 as it did just a handful of years ago, but he was still by far the best opponent Lopes had faced to date, and Lopes passed the test with flying colors. Diego may just need one more big victory to earn himself a title shot at 145 pounds.
Will take on Ortega
Lopes will face Brian Ortega in a lightweight bout in UFC Noche at Sphere in Las Vegas on Sep. 14.
ANALYSIS
One of the most hyped prospects in the featherweight division, Lopes will try to continue moving up the ranks knowing he's won his last four fights in a row, though he'll be moving up a weight class here in what promises to be a tough matchup against one of the best fighters in the lightweight division. A potential win against Brian Ortega could put him one step closer toward fighting for a belt in the near future while also increasing his status as one of the best prospects in the company.
One of the most hyped prospects in the featherweight division, Lopes will try to continue moving up the ranks knowing he's won his last four fights in a row, though he'll be moving up a weight class here in what promises to be a tough matchup against one of the best fighters in the lightweight division. A potential win against Brian Ortega could put him one step closer toward fighting for a belt in the near future while also increasing his status as one of the best prospects in the company.
Wins historic late-notice bout
Lopes defeated Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
So ends arguably the wildest turn of events in UFC history. Lopes handled the (extremely) late notice withdrawal of Brian Ortega like a pro, willingly taking on Ige (who literally got off his couch to make this happen) in a catchweight bout on just a few hours' notice. Lopes was very good for 10 minutes, pressuring Ige on the feet and controlling him on the mat before gassing out in Round 3. If this fight was scheduled for five rounds, Diego would have been in trouble. As is, he's the victor of four straight and is continuing his climb up the loaded featherweight rankings. It was the rare fight in which everyone was a winner.
So ends arguably the wildest turn of events in UFC history. Lopes handled the (extremely) late notice withdrawal of Brian Ortega like a pro, willingly taking on Ige (who literally got off his couch to make this happen) in a catchweight bout on just a few hours' notice. Lopes was very good for 10 minutes, pressuring Ige on the feet and controlling him on the mat before gassing out in Round 3. If this fight was scheduled for five rounds, Diego would have been in trouble. As is, he's the victor of four straight and is continuing his climb up the loaded featherweight rankings. It was the rare fight in which everyone was a winner.
Last-minute opponent change
Lopes will now face Dan Ige in the co-main event of UFC 303 on Saturday, according to the UFC 303 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
Lopes was originally scheduled to face Brian Ortega at lightweight in the co-main event, but after what was already a bad weight cut for Ortega, "T-City" was unable to shake a fever and was ultimately forced to withdraw just hours before the event. Lopes will now face Dan Ige at a catchweight of 165 pounds to keep the card in tact. Ige has won three of his last four fights and is known as an all-action brawler, so he won't be afraid to throw down with Lopes in the center of the cage.
Lopes was originally scheduled to face Brian Ortega at lightweight in the co-main event, but after what was already a bad weight cut for Ortega, "T-City" was unable to shake a fever and was ultimately forced to withdraw just hours before the event. Lopes will now face Dan Ige at a catchweight of 165 pounds to keep the card in tact. Ige has won three of his last four fights and is known as an all-action brawler, so he won't be afraid to throw down with Lopes in the center of the cage.