If everything goes according to plan, Diego López won’t be needed on October 26th.
But it’s always good to plan for the unexpected. As a result, Lopez will serve as a backup fighter for the UFC 308 featherweight title fight between Ilya Topuria and Max Holloway. Lopez announced the role late last month and will be considered alongside Topria and Holloway ahead of the event.
If Lopez is asked to compete in the main event of UFC 308, there is a preference for his opponent.
“I definitely want to fight Ilya for the undisputed title. That would be amazing. We really analyzed everything. I sat down and people might take this the wrong way and say, ‘No, I don’t believe in him,’ but for me, the match with Topuria suits my style better. I think it’s going to be a great fight,” Lopez recently told MMAjunkie.com.
UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway takes place Saturday at 2pm ET on ESPN+. Order now!
“It’s a fight that suits me. Against Max, I have to make more complex strategies without making mistakes. Against Topuria, I won’t say no, but I’m not going to interact or I like to clash and I’m the type to hit hard, so I think I’ll have an advantage. I have the ability to knock people out. And Illya throws with all her might, so you can call this a gunfight. , let’s see who falls first. So the fight with Ilia definitely suits my style better.”
Lopez has won five straight UFC fights since losing to Movsar Evloev in his hasty Octagon debut in May 2023. The RoboGym MMA product scored his most significant win to date at UFC 306 with two clear unanimous decisions. Featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14th.
