Diego Lopes hoped to get his crack at Ilia Topuria in some unspecified time in the future, however understands if the soon-to-be former featherweight champion desires a brand new problem.
With Dana White saying that Topuria is vacating his 145-pound title for a transfer to light-weight, Lopes now faces Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant belt in the principle occasion of UFC 314 on April 12. Whereas reacting to Topuria giving again the championship in an interview with broadcast companion ESPN, Lopes says the roster has been advised by UFC brass that if a titleholder desires to pursue a second title, they need to lose their championship with a purpose to take the chance.
“They have been very clear to us that they stated that they’re not giving [the] probability to leap from one weight class to a different,” Lopes stated. “If you wish to transfer up, it’s a must to vacate your title. That’s what UFC has stated to all champions who’re planning to maneuver up a weight class. They are going to not have the standing of double champion concurrently.
“If he’s going to be a double champion, [he] will probably be nothing greater than a champion of two classes.”
Topuria captured MMA Combating’s 2024 Fighter of the 12 months award with a pair of Knockout of the 12 months contenders in opposition to Volkanovski a yr in the past at UFC 298 to win the 145-pound belt, and Max Holloway eight months later at UFC 308 in his first title protection—turning into the primary fighter in historical past to ever cease Holloway with strikes. Topuria is hopeful he’ll get a direct light-weight title combat in opposition to Islam Makhachev, however the UFC hasn’t introduced an official matchup.
Lopes is driving a five-fight win streak into his first title combat as he battles the previous longtime champ in Volkanovski. In White’s announcement, the UFC CEO stated Topuria seems like he’s achieved all the things he can within the division, and whereas Lopes isn’t knocking Topuria for taking an enormous threat, he believes that there have been nonetheless many challenges at 145 for “El Matador.”
“However I feel, ultimately, it’s as much as every particular person to resolve,” Lopes stated. “If [Topuria] feels he has nothing else to do within the division, properly he ought to transfer ahead along with his profession.
“I do know that within the division we have now excellent fighters that would give [Topuria tough fights]. We are able to even put him in deep trouble, and even defeat him, but when he feels that as a result of he defeated Max and Volk, who’re legends within the division, his work right here is already accomplished, properly, it’s wonderful. He has the fitting to consider so, and go forward.”
