Morning Report: Diego Lopes wants Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Sydney

If Ilia Topuria goes to take a while off, Diego Lopes desires Alexander Volkanovski subsequent.

This previous Saturday, Topuria authored one of the spectacular wins of the 12 months, knocking out Max Holloway in the primary occasion of UFC 308. It was the first-time the iron-chinned Holloway has ever been knocked out, which even impressed Lopes, who was sitting cageside for the occasion.

“It was a great knockout,” Lopes advised Ariel Helwani. “It was actually spectacular, however it was much more stunning simply to see Max on the ground. It had by no means occurred. I used to be actually shocked by that…

“Max did a great job retaining the gap within the [beginning] of the battle, however I advised my brother in the course of the battle, if Ilia received in there he might have the possibility to knock him out…

“Going into the battle I believed that Max was going to win. I by no means thought that Ilia would knock him out.”

Lopes served because the backup fighter for UFC 308 however his companies weren’t wanted as each Topuria and Holloway made weight for his or her featherweight title battle. And whereas generally being a backup fighter means you’re subsequent in line for the title shot, that doesn’t seem like the case for Lopes.

Following his Topuria’s huge win, the UFC introduced former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski into the cage for a faceoff, seemingly organising a rematch between the 2. That would go away Lopes ready within the wings once more.

All hope isn’t misplaced for Lopes although. For one, Topuria appears considering taking a while off as a substitute of creating a fast turnaround to defend his title once more, and for one more, UFC CEO Dana White has already instructed the promotion desires to convey him to Spain for a debut occasion. If meaning a protracted hiatus to determine, Lopes has the right plan.

“We had been by no means promised a title shot going into this,” Lopes mentioned. “We simply agreed to be the backup however we are going to for certain attempt to discover our technique to that title shot…

“Ilia talked about on Saturday evening that he wished to take a while off. Additionally, UFC talked about they’re engaged on a date for Spain. Whereas that is all occurring, it will take advantage of sense for me to simply battle ‘Volk’ in Sydney for the interim title. ‘Volk’ has already instructed this. I’ve already agreed to it. Let’s simply do it.”

The UFC heads again to Sydney on Feb. 9 for UFC 312, and it will make sense for Volkanovski to be on the cardboard. Furthermore, the previous featherweight champion has already proven some willingness for this state of affairs, relying on how lengthy Topuria can be out. Nonetheless, Volkanovski could finally select to attend for his title shot, and if he does, then Lopes could wait as nicely — except the UFC involves him with a very good provide.

“Clearly, we really feel that the battle with Volkanovski makes probably the most sense for us,” Lopes mentioned. “It will get us on the title shot observe, but when UFC desires to present us one other provide in Mexico Metropolis, we’ve to speak as a workforce with the administration and see what the choices are right here.

“I’m probably not considering combating anyone however Volkanovksi. It makes probably the most sense. If the UFC says we’ve to attend round for a title shot, then we’ll wait. If we battle for the interim Morning Report: Diego Lopes desires Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Sydney or Volkanovski, that’s a dialog we’ll must have with administration.”

In the end, it might be fairly some time earlier than Lopes will get his crack at Topuria and the featherweight title, however when he does, he believes the battle can be definitely worth the look ahead to followers.

“We all know watching Ilia’s fights that he’s very ahead [moving] and likes to create stress,” Lopes mentioned. “I additionally wish to create stress and we each have very heavy arms. It will be a extremely good battle and any one among us might drop at any second due to that.”

Plea. Jon Jones reached an settlement to have prices dismissed in assault case.

FOTY. Matt Brown believes Ilia Topuria locked up Fighter of the Yr for 2024.

185. Chael Sonnen revealed what Sean Strickland mentioned to him after Khamzat Chimaev’s spectacular win at UFC 308.

Shorts. Brandon Moreno received customized battle shorts for UFC Edmonton this weekend.

Retired. Carla Esparza didn’t like the choice, however insists she’s completed with combating.

Mailbag. Answering reader questions together with how lengthy can Ilia Topuria reign at featherweight?

Carla Esparza.

The bogeyman of the UFC.

Brandon Moreno and Amir Albizi received a function from ESPN.

Some free fights.

And Carlos Condit highlights.

Fighter vs. Author

Assertion.

Paulo Costa with harsh phrases.

Class for days.

Coaching.

Surgical procedure.

Samesies.

Mauricio Ruffy (10-1) vs. James Llontop (14-4); UFC 309, Nov. 16.

Sergei Pavlovich (18-3) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5); UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1.

Some folks gained’t prefer it, however I believe Volk vs. Lopes is the correct concept. Let Topuria take a while off and get a venue in Spain for the summer time the place he fights the winner. Plus, Volk actually ought to get a win earlier than stepping again in there and getting clobbered once more.

When you discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Fb.