UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes can be in Abu Dhabi to function the backup to Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 subsequent month.
In a current tweet, Lopes shared the information.
“Formally again up for the struggle on October twenty sixth,” Lopes tweeted. “See you in Abu Dhabi.”
Lopes will make the featherweight weight restrict, struggle or not, for the second time in about two months. He defeated former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega in his most up-to-date struggle at UFC 306.
Lopes’s path from falling quick on Dana White’s Contender Collection, to changing into a UFC star, is outstanding. Since making his short-notice debut at UFC 288, he’s gained 5 consecutive fights to surge up the featherweight rankings.
Lopes had just lately referred to as for a struggle in opposition to former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski, however he’ll get the following neatest thing within the UFC 308 backup function. He might doubtlessly be subsequent in line for the featherweight title, relying on the UFC 308 end result and Volkanovski’s ongoing absence.
Diego Lopes earns UFC 308 backup function, potential title struggle subsequent
Lopes misplaced to Movsar Evloev on days’ discover at UFC 288 in 2023. Regardless of the loss, he was signed to a multi-fight contract with the promotion, profitable his first UFC struggle in opposition to Gavin Tucker simply months later.
The UFC matchmakers focused Lopes as a possible signee in 2021 by way of DWCS. However, Lopes misplaced to Joanderson Brito by technical choice after which misplaced to Nate Richardson at Fury FC 52.
Lopes’s persistence has paid huge dividends. Earlier than the victory over Ortega, he defeated the likes of Dan Ige, Sodiq Yusuff, and Pat Sabatini contained in the UFC Octagon.
Topuria captured the UFC featherweight title by ending Volkanovski at UFC 298 earlier this 12 months. Holloway, in the meantime, earned the featherweight title shot after getting the BMF belt in opposition to Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Lopes might doubtlessly characteristic on one of many largest playing cards of the 12 months, ought to something occur with the UFC 308 fundamental occasion. For now, he seems on the cusp of a featherweight title shot, no matter how issues transpire.
