Diego Lopez wasn’t happy that he wasn’t included in the UFC’s initial list of possible opponents for Ilia Topria.
Topuria successfully defended his featherweight title with his first knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308 on October 26th. Lopez was also in attendance at the event and was mentioned as a possible opponent for Topuria in the champion’s post-fight interview. However, Topria expressed more interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, who he defeated by knockout at UFC 298 in February of this year.
Meanwhile, Topuria is also aiming to move up to lightweight with a view to becoming a double champion with Islam Makhachev. And former middleweight champion Kamaru Usman suggested that “El Matador” should face Conor McGregor to establish him as the new face of the promotion.
Volkanovskiy, Makhachev and McGregor all appeared in the recent “What’s Next for Ilya Topria” graphic, but the fourth spot was left blank. Lopez was unhappy about being removed from the list and took to social media to express his displeasure.
“So, am I a soccer player? Or what’s going on?” wrote the Brazilian candidate on X.
He can’t be stopped!! ️@topriaIlia
Since then, he has remained at the top of the featherweight division.
#UFC308. What’s next for Champion? pic.twitter.com/voK3yO8h7r
— UFC (@ufc)
October 29, 2024
Lopez’s words had consequences, and shortly after, he was featured on the same post at UFC Brazil. Lopez responded to the post with a smiling face and a sunglasses emoji.
😎 https://t.co/lKdO5luSIz
— Diego Lopez🇧🇷🇲🇽 (@Diegolopesmma)
October 29, 2024
Topria would ideally like to defend his title in Spain. The UFC is set to debut in Spain next year, but no date has been set yet. Volkanovski, on the other hand, doesn’t want to be out of action for too long as he waits for his rematch with Topuria. Lopez believes he should fight Volkanovski for the interim title at UFC 312 in Sydney in the meantime.
“Ilia said Saturday night that he wanted to take some time off. He also said that the UFC is working on a date in Spain,” Lopez recently told Ariel Helwani. “While all this is going on, that would make the most sense.” [me] All he has to do is fight Volkin Sidney for the interim title. Volk has already suggested this and I already agree with it. Let’s try it. ”
Since his unsuccessful UFC debut against Movsar Evloev, Lopez has won five straight fights, including three finishes, all within 16 months.
