Diego Lopes is able to assist the featherweight division transfer on.
Over the weekend, Ilia Topuria teased that he’s contemplating dropping his UFC featherweight title to maneuver as much as 155 kilos. In gentle of light-weight champion Islam Makhachev defending his belt in January in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan, “El Matador” recommended a doable struggle with Charles Oliveira someday within the spring, and if Topuria follows by on his speak, Lopes is able to fill within the new emptiness atop the division, calling for a struggle with former champion and presumptive No. 1 contender Alexander Volkanovski.
“Alexander Volkanovski, if Ilia [is] going to 155, let’s meet within the Octagon. You may choose the date and placement.”
Reigning over the 145-pound weight class for nearly 5 years, Volkanovski dropped his title to Topuria again in March. Since then, “The Nice” has been ready for his alternative for a rematch with Topuria, who as an alternative defended in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 308. Now, Volkanovski seems to be subsequent in line in opposition to Topuria, but when the champion vacates, he would additionally make sense to fill in for a vacant title struggle.
Lopes, in the meantime, rose to prominence over the previous two years with a string of sensational performances. At the moment driving a five-fight successful streak, Lopes served because the backup fighter for the UFC 308 title struggle between Topuria and Holloway.