Diego Lopes has a knack for special moments.
From UFC 300 to Noche UFC at the Sphere to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, it's been a wild ride for a man who didn't reach the UFC until his 27th pro fight. But now it's time to create such memories, and perhaps greater ones, in a new landscape.
Even though he's coming off a big win, Lopes (28-8 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is eying a move to lightweight – and says the promotion likes the idea, too.
"I want to move for 155 to make a couple of fights," Lopes told MMA Junkie on Monday. "I really like the idea more because I'm so honest. I just lost two times to Volkanovski. He's still here in the division. I don't think I have a shot for the ****** le soon. So I don't care if I fight with a guy low in the rankings. I fight this two times, when I lost, for the belt. But I really like the idea for moving to 155. This week, I talked with the UFC about this. The UFC liked the idea, too. I just need to figure out what the best option is. I think in the top-five, all fights are a good one for me."
The decision to move up has been considered for a bit. Lopes says the decision is multi-fold. He's a bigger featherweight, so not having to cut the calories or the weight is attractive to him. There also might be a more realistic route to the ****** le, considering he's lost twice to current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. But also, the matchups at lightweight? Those could be a ****** of a lot of fun for the fans, says Lopes.
From UFC 300 to Noche UFC at the Sphere to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, it's been a wild ride for a man who didn't reach the UFC until his 27th pro fight. But now it's time to create such memories, and perhaps greater ones, in a new landscape.
Even though he's coming off a big win, Lopes (28-8 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is eying a move to lightweight – and says the promotion likes the idea, too.
"I want to move for 155 to make a couple of fights," Lopes told MMA Junkie on Monday. "I really like the idea more because I'm so honest. I just lost two times to Volkanovski. He's still here in the division. I don't think I have a shot for the ****** le soon. So I don't care if I fight with a guy low in the rankings. I fight this two times, when I lost, for the belt. But I really like the idea for moving to 155. This week, I talked with the UFC about this. The UFC liked the idea, too. I just need to figure out what the best option is. I think in the top-five, all fights are a good one for me."
The decision to move up has been considered for a bit. Lopes says the decision is multi-fold. He's a bigger featherweight, so not having to cut the calories or the weight is attractive to him. There also might be a more realistic route to the ****** le, considering he's lost twice to current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. But also, the matchups at lightweight? Those could be a ****** of a lot of fun for the fans, says Lopes.
2 months ago
