UFC White House: Diego Lopes weighs in for 2 fights, including main event backup spot

Diego Lopes proved his adaptability at UFC White House weigh-ins on Friday, successfully making weight not once but twice for Sunday's historic card in Washington, D.C. The featherweight contender first stepped on the scale at 146 pounds for his scheduled opener against Steve Garcia, then returned for a second weigh-in at 154 pounds after being named as a potential backup fighter for the lightweight championship main event.

The UFC officially announced Lopes as an alternate for the title unification bout between undisputed champion Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje, a quirk that drew laughter from the fighter and assembled media. The dual weigh-in is not without precedent in Lopes' recent fight history. At UFC 303 in June 2024, Lopes faced similar chaos when Brian Ortega withdrew due to illness on fight day, forcing him to accept a same-day catchweight bout against Dan Ige at 165 pounds just hours before the event.

Now positioned as insurance for the main event, Lopes stands ready to step in should either Topuria or Gaethje become unable to compete. His willingness to serve multiple roles—fighting Garcia in the preliminary rounds while maintaining championship-level weight as a contingency—underscores the unpredictability of fight week and Lopes' reputation as a reliable problem-solver for the promotion.