Two-time UFC featherweight title challenger Diego Lopez could also be leaving the division for good. In reality, his intention is to compete as a light-weight in his subsequent combat.
Lopez stepped on the size twice on the UFC White Home occasion in Washington, D.C., earlier this month, hitting 146 kilos towards Steve Garcia, then returning minutes later as a reserve for the light-weight title combat between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. Lopez knocked out Garcia and his companies weren’t wanted as Gaethje stopped Topria to unify the belts, however he is now seeking to compete at 155 kilos.
Regardless of Alexander Volkanovski remaining the reigning featherweight champion with two title combat wins over Lopez, and a return to the UFC with wins over the likes of Gian Silva, Brian Ortega and Dan Ige, the Brazilian is aware of he is in “a little bit of a tricky spot” to really combat for one more shot at “The Nice” within the close to future.
“It’s a bit tough,” Lopez advised MMA Preventing. “Except Volkanovski retires, it may be tough for him to get one other shot on the title. I might must root for him to lose, however I might reasonably see him retire as a champion as a result of he was such an important champion for this division. It might be actually particular to see him stroll away with the belt. That manner he’ll go away the door open for guys to return and I feel I am a part of that group.”
“However I am undoubtedly in a little bit of a tough state of affairs,” he continued. “I’ve a want to go as much as 155 and have some thrilling fights. I feel there are some nice fights within the high 5 or high six that swimsuit my fashion. So, actually, I do not know what is going on to occur in my division. I talked to the UFC final weekend, and we really talked extra about light-weight than featherweight. I feel there’s much more potential for a combat at 155. We’ll see what occurs. We’ll see what occurs.” UFC’s plans are related. ”
Lopez stated he first got here up with the thought of volunteering to be a reserve for Topuria vs. Gaethje after realizing that Arman Tsarukyan was not in Washington, D.C., and was paid an undisclosed quantity for 2 weigh-ins. Lopez weighed 166 kilos when he entered the Octagon to combat Garcia on June 14th.
“After I discovered Alman was going to be unavailable for the sport, he was the official backup for this sport, so I advised my supervisor to textual content Hunter (Campbell) and test on what he stated,” Lopez stated. “The worst factor he stated was ‘no,’ so it did not harm us in any manner. I simply wished to point out that if one thing occurred I might be there. Hunter really shocked me. He stated, ‘Wait, are you critical?’ I stated, ‘Yeah, I am critical.’ Then he stated, “Okay then.” If you want, we will provide you with permission to take part as an official backup for the match. ”They usually formally introduced me because the backup. ”
Lopez solely rehydrated a bit earlier than returning to the size Saturday morning, this time with garments and a hat on, which he believes really despatched a message to the UFC that he was critical about altering weights.
Nonetheless, neither headliner was satisfied something was going to occur.
“Simply the truth that they accepted me because the official backup makes you suppose, ‘Properly, the probabilities are small, nevertheless it may occur.’ You by no means know,” Lopez stated. “Possibly one of many guys will get meals poisoning or one thing and will not have the ability to compete (laughs). There’s all the time an opportunity. However to be trustworthy, I used to be fairly relaxed. I simply wished to go on the market, do my job and win the sport. That is it.”
Lopez stated his unique plan was to combat at light-weight after his loss to Volkanovski in January, however the promotion opted to face Garcia as an alternative. However for now, he says the UFC light-weight division is “undoubtedly” the place he needs to be if given the prospect to decide.
“It is very tough contemplating the place I’m proper now,” Lopez stated about which fights make sense at featherweight. “Given the historical past between us, the title Yair Rodriguez could be a great guess, however we have not heard something about him in over a yr and a half. He is already fought thrice since he fought in Miami, however nobody is aware of what occurred to him. The UFC advised me each But when they advised me, ‘I’ve to decide on a weight class,’ given the present state of affairs, and Volkanovski continues to be the champion, I might select 155.”
