Diego Lopes wants top lightweight fight, calls 145 'tough spot'

Diego Lopes believes his future belongs at lightweight. The Brazilian featherweight, twice stopped in UFC title fights by Alexander Volkanovski, told MMA Fighting this week that he is stuck "in a bit of a tough spot" at 145 pounds and wants his next assignment against a top-ranked 155er.

Lopes weighed in twice for UFC White House earlier this month, making 146 for his bout with Steve Garcia and then returning minutes later as the official backup for the lightweight title unification between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. He knocked out Garcia and rehydrated to 166 by fight time. Gaethje beat Topuria, and Lopes never got the call.

Why Lopes says featherweight has closed

With Volkanovski still holding the belt and two wins over him in the bank, Lopes said he would have to root for the champion to lose or retire before another crack materializes. "I'd rather see him retire as champion, because he was such a great champion for the division," he said, per MMA Fighting. "Seeing him walk away with the belt would be something really special."

Lopes said he pitched the backup role himself after noticing Arman Tsarukyan would not be in Washington. UFC exec Hunter Campbell accepted and paid an undisclosed amount for the extra weigh-in. The fighter believes the stunt signaled to the promotion that a move up is serious. His original plan was to jump divisions after the January loss to Volkanovski, but the UFC booked Garcia instead.

If forced to choose one weight class today, Lopes said it would "definitely" be lightweight. He mentioned a potential grudge match with Yair Rodriguez at featherweight but noted Rodriguez has not fought in over a year. The UFC has not announced Lopes's next opponent or weight.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Diego Lopes ‘in a bit of a tough spot’ at featherweight, wants next fight to be against a top UFC lightweight