Diego Lopes considers move to lightweight after UFC featherweight stalemate

Diego Lopes is weighing a move up to lightweight after finding himself stuck in a competitive featherweight division. The two-time UFC featherweight title challenger most recently defeated Steve Garcia at UFC Freedom 250, but his path back to gold is complicated by two losses to current champion Alexander Volkanovski.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Lopes acknowledged the difficult reality of his position. "As long as Volkanovski doesn't retire, it's going to be hard to get another title shot," he explained. "I'd have to be rooting for him to lose, but I'd rather see him retire as champion because he was such a great champion for the division."

Lopes revealed that he has already discussed the possibility with the UFC, noting that conversations this past weekend focused heavily on the lightweight division rather than featherweight. The Brazilian fighter, who served as a backup for the Ilia Topuria versus Justin Gaethje main event at UFC Freedom 250, expressed openness to competing in both weight classes if permitted. However, if forced to choose one, he sees 155 pounds as the more promising option given the current landscape at featherweight.

"If the UFC gives me the opportunity to keep fighting in both divisions, I'd love that," Lopes said. "But if they told me, 'You have to pick one weight class,' then, considering where things stand right now, and with Volkanovski still being the champion, I think I'd choose 155." A move up would position Lopes in a fresh title picture and potentially open doors that remain closed at 145 pounds.