Diego Lopes could or could not discover himself in a UFC championship battle later this month.
The fan-favorite Brazilian will function the official backup for the UFC featherweight title battle between champion Ilia Topuria and former champ Max Holloway on Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This implies Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has been coaching and can weigh in for the bout, simply in case both headliner is pressured to withdraw from the bout.
So who would Lopes slightly face in an excellent state of affairs: Topuria or Holloway?
“I positively would slightly battle with Ilia for the undisputed title. That may be superb,” Lopes instructed MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’ve additionally actually analyzed every thing. We’ve sat down to research each fighters. Individuals would possibly take this the unsuitable method and say, ‘No, I don’t imagine him,’ however I believe for me, a battle towards Topuria can be a greater matchup for my type.
“It’s a battle that fits me. Towards Max, it’s a battle the place we have now to mount a extra advanced technique with no errors. With Topuria, as nicely, I’m not saying no, however I believe towards him issues can be extra favorable as a result of I wish to alternate and conflict, and I hit exhausting. I’m able to knocking out individuals. And since Ilia throws with every thing and I throw with every thing, we will say it’s a shootout and let’s see who falls first. So the battle towards Ilia positively fits extra my type.”
Lopes beforehand instructed MMA Junkie that his dream battle can be towards Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC). Nonetheless, below this state of affairs, if he had been to battle Holloway it could possible be for an interim title, provided that Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is the champion. This makes a possible battle with Topuria a more sensible choice.
Lopes’ providers gained’t be wanted if each fighters make weight and keep heading in the right direction. If the battle does go down, Lopes sides with the previous champion.
“I’m nonetheless giving an edge to Holloway as a consequence of all of the expertise he has in that octagon and all of the fighters he’s confronted,” Lopes stated. “He’s additionally by no means been knocked out, however we all know something can occur, and Ilia has energy in his fingers. Nonetheless, I’m nonetheless giving the benefit to Max.”
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