Diego Lopes wasn’t happy about not being included in the UFC’s initial list of potential opponents for Ilia Topuria.
Topuria successfully defended his featherweight title by knocking out Max Holloway for the first time at UFC 308 on Oct. 26. Lopes, who was also in attendance for the event, was pitched as a potential opponent for Topuria during the champ’s post-fight interview. However, Topuria expressed more interest in a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski, whom he dethroned via knockout at UFC 298 this past February.
Meanwhile, Topuria is also looking to move up to lightweight for a double-champ bid against Islam Makhachev. And former middleweight champ Kamaru Usman has suggested that “El Matador” should be pitted against Conor McGregor to be established as the new face of the promotion.
Volkanovski, Makhachev and McGregor were all featured in a recent “What’s next for Ilia Topuria” graphic, while a fourth spot was left blank. Lopes was unhappy about being left out from the list and voiced his grouse on social media.
“And I’m a soccer player? Or what’s going on?” the Brazilian contender wrote on X.
He’s UNSTOPPABLE‼️@TopuriaIlia remains on top of the featherweight division after #UFC308. Whats next for the champ? pic.twitter.com/voK3yO8h7r
— UFC (@ufc) October 29, 2024
Lopes’ words fetched results, as he was featured on an identical post by UFC Brasil soon after. Lopes reacted to the post with a smiling face with sunglasses emoji.
https://t.co/lKdO5luSIz
— Diego Lopes (@Diegolopesmma) October 29, 2024
Topuria ideally wants to defend his title in Spain, where the UFC is planning to make its debut next year but has yet to finalize a date. Meanwhile, Volkanovski doesn’t want to stay inactive too long while waiting for a rematch against Topuria. Lopes believes he should fight Volkanovski for an interim title in the meantime at UFC 312 in in Sydney.
“Ilia mentioned on Saturday night that he wanted to take some time off. Also, the UFC mentioned they are working on a date for Spain,” Lopes recently told Ariel Helwani. “While this is all going on, it would make the most sense for [me] to just fight Volkin Sydney for an interim title. Volk has already suggested this, I have already agreed to it. Let’s just do it.”
Lopes has racked up a five-fight winning streak including three finishes since a foiled UFC debut against Movsar Evloev — all within the span of 16 months.
