The UFC is clearly hot on exciting featherweight fighter Diego Lopes. They called him when UFC 303 needed a last minute boost in violence, after all. But are they excited enough about him to put him into a 145 pound title shot should he beat Brian Ortega on June 29th?
Lopes argued that’s definitely a possibility so long as he goes out and wins again in impressive fashion. Diego has finished his last three fights in just over four and a half minutes, and a win over “T-City” would rocket him to the top of the division.
“I know people will complain because I’m the 14th ranked,” he said in an interview with ESPN Desportes. “But I know UFC offered the fight to other fighters who are in the rankings and don’t have a fight. I know they didn’t take it. So they called me and they knew that I was going to take the biggest fight of my career against the No. 3 in the world.”
Diego Lopes believes he can earn a title shot with a win over Brian Ortega at #UFC303
“I know people will complain because I’m the 14th ranked but I’m sure they offered the fight to other fighters in the rankings and they said no. That’s why they called me”
Via @ESPNDeportes pic.twitter.com/OH5QvC743t
— Carlos Contreras Legaspi (@CCLegaspi) June 14, 2024
“Ortega’s been in the UFC for years, his losses come against champions. So I see this as a golden opportunity in my hands to take a step forward in the division.”
“I think chances are really big [for a title shot],” he continued. “Imagine if I defeat Ortega and see how the rankings change. I’ll be really high in the rankings. Without a doubt I’ll be in the conversation to be next in line. More if I win in a solid way, like I finished the last ones. I believe there’s no doubt that I will deserve a title shot.”
You never know how one impressive win on a high profile card could change people’s perception of Lopes. The UFC continues to slot him on the biggest events, and they clearly see him as someone with major star potential. If he manages to keep his first round finish streak alive against the extremely tough Brian Ortega, anything is possible.
But featherweight is a division with a quickly growing queue of contenders. The champ Ilia Topuria still hasn’t booked his first defense. He has Alexander Volkanovski expecting a rematch, and Max Holloway hoping to regain his belt at 145. With such big established names jockeying for position, where does that leave Lopes?
As we’ve seen over the past week, injuries and fight cancellations happen all the time. Lopes may not step directly into the No. 1 contender spot with a win over Ortega, but he definitely positions himself as the man to call if something goes sideways. Which seems to be happening a lot these days.