Diego Lopes is one win away from reaching his dream.
In a blockbuster announcement made by UFC CEO Dana White on Wednesday, featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria has vacated his belt in favor of a transfer to light-weight the place he’ll inevitably problem that division’s high canine, Islam Makhachev.
Because of this, UFC 314 will see a brand new featherweight champion topped when ex-titleholder Alexander Volkanovksi returns to the Octagon for a conflict with Lopes contained in the Kaseya Middle in Miami, Florida.
Reacting to the information on social media, Lopes didn’t provide a lot thought on Topuria’s surprising determination to bail on the featherweight division after only one title protection. As an alternative, the Brazilian selected to concentrate on the duty at hand and present appreciation for the chance he’s been offered with.
“I’ve labored like nobody else lately, I’ve accepted challenges and dares that the UFC has put in entrance of me, I’ve mentioned sure in each scenario, even when it was not favorable for me.” Lopes wrote on X. “In lower than 2 years inside the UFC I’ll have my alternative for the title. I can’t fail. Dream, consider and make it occur.”
Diego Lopes rides into UFC 314 on a five-fight win streak
Lopes goes into his first UFC title battle using a five-fight win streak contained in the Octaton, his most up-to-date victory coming in opposition to Brian Ortega in September. Earlier than that, he racked up a collection of spectacular showings in opposition to Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodiq Yusuff, and Dan Ige.
As for Volkanovski, this can be his first time competing since struggling a pair of brutal back-to-back knockouts final yr in opposition to Topuria and Makhachev—the 2 males rumored to battle for the light-weight strap as early as Worldwide Combat Week.
