Joanderson Brito was the primary man to defeat Diego Lopes contained in the octagon, when each clashed for a UFC contract at Dana White’s Contender Sequence in August 2021. Since then, Brito watched Lopes skyrocket to the highest of the featherweight division with what he sees as the good thing about a promotional push.
Brito defeated Lopes through technical resolution – 29-28 on all scorecards – after an unintentional eye poke left Lopes unable to proceed within the ultimate spherical. Brito was awarded a UFC deal and later misplaced his debut in opposition to Invoice Algeo, however he has rebounded with 5 straight UFC finishes, together with wins over Andre Fili and Jack Shore. Lopes went 2-1 on the regional circuit to lastly earn a shot within the UFC, stepping in on lower than every week’s discover to battle Movsar Evloev at UFC 288.
Though Brito thinks Lopes “may be very powerful,” he doesn’t see his fellow Brazilian beating 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria.
“The way in which the UFC is reserving him, it’s potential that he fights for the title,” Brito mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing, “However in the event you actually put him in opposition to [Max] Holloway, Arnold Allen and even Movsar Evloev, it should make his run troublesome. However the UFC doesn’t need that for him. It’s all about wanting or not, proper?”
Lopes has gained 5 in a row since shedding to Evloev, going 3-0 alone this yr in opposition to Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, and Brian Ortega. Brito reenters the cage Saturday to face William Gomis on the primary card portion of UFC Paris.
“Even when I win, and I’ll win earlier than the top of the second spherical, I actually don’t assume they’ll do that [Lopes rematch],” Brito mentioned. “Everyone is aware of what is going to occur [at UFC Paris]. I do know, you already know. Even Gomis is aware of. When it occurs, [Gomis] will understand he wasn’t prepared for this. However even then, even after I win one other one, UFC gained’t give me Diego. I’ve seen that occur many instances earlier than within the UFC, however ultimately, this battle will occur if he stays on high. If he continues profitable, this battle will occur, as a result of I do know I’ll get there. It’s a matter of time.”
Brito mentioned he would beat the undefeated Topuria “at any second,” however doesn’t really feel Lopes can do the identical. “Tubarão,” nevertheless, doesn’t anticipate Topuria to be holding UFC gold after he faces Holloway subsequent month at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
“I feel Holloway is the hardest featherweight as we speak due to his chin,” Brito mentioned. “He can get hit. Apart from him, I see Movsar Evloev as a troublesome man as a result of he doesn’t battle, he simply hangs in there to win by factors. Apart from him, I see nobody else.”
Brito known as out Dan Ige a number of instances up to now and was lastly paired up in opposition to him earlier this yr earlier than withdrawing from the match with a leg damage. He additionally focused Brian Ortega following his UFC 301 victory over Shore in Could. With Lopes defeating each featherweights in June and September, Brito has moved on from these callouts.
“If you happen to lose to Lopes, it is unnecessary to me anymore,” Brito mentioned. “I plan on asking for Yair Rodriguez. I don’t know the way the UFC sees this battle, however that’s one I’d love to do. He’s been within the high 5 for a very long time and this battle makes lots of sense proper now. It will be superb for me.”
“Many individuals say I ought to battle somebody ranked [instead of Gomis], that I ought to have achieved this or that, however in the long run, an important of all is cash within the financial institution,” he continued. “It’s not my fault. I’m calling out ranked fighters for a very long time. I let my fights do the speaking. I’ve gained 5 in a row, all by end, however the UFC isn’t giving me the chance. I don’t know what else I’ve bought to do, however I don’t lose sleep over this. I simply have to battle, and I hope I can battle another earlier than the top of the yr. It’s all about timing. Some guys simply bought right here and have all of the hype, however actually, I don’t care about any of that. I simply have to battle.”
