Lopes’ lightweight pivot could shake up UFC divisions
After two straight losses to champion Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes is weighing a move to 155 lbs to revive his title hopes and reshape featherweight contention.
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes is seriously considering a drop to lightweight after back-to-back losses to champion Alexander Volkanovski left him frozen out of title contention. The two-time title challenger told MMA Fighting he’d prefer to fight at 155 if forced to pick one weight class, citing the logjam at 145 where Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, and Steve Garcia occupy the top spots. Lopes’ last two fights ended in decision losses to Volkanovski—first at UFC 298 in February 2024, then at UFC 300 in April 2024—both in the main event.
