After a successful UFC 306 outing, Diego Lopes wants a chance to prove himself further. His impressive win over former title challenger Brain Ortega was his fifth in a row and it has put him in the title picture in the featherweight division. But there are a couple of more fighters of want a shot at Lopes before he gets into a possible title match. However, the 29-year-old has already put his name forward as a backup fighter for UFC 308 and if that doesn’t work out, he has another plan.

Lopes has looked unstoppable ever since losing his UFC debut to Movsar Evloev in May 2023. In that showing, he looked competitive and soon proved his mettle with five wins in 16 months and two post-fight bonuses. The win over Ortega via a unanimous decision was the biggest of his octagon career and as such the only way is up from here. He has turned down Evloev’s challenge to avenge his defeat and has given his condition if there is to be a rematch. But for now, his focus lies ahead.

UFC 308 will be headlined by featherweight champion Ilia Topuria defending his title against Max Holloway. Holloway is on a three-fight winning streak and has moved up to the No. 2 position among the featherweight challengers. Topuria, on the other hand, has a perfect 15-0 record as a pro and won the featherweight title from Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February. Lopes is only behind these two and Alexander Volkanovski in rankings and it made sense for him to name himself as a backup fighter.

But in case Dana White doesn’t go with him as the backup fighter, he is ready to take on Alexander Volkanovski. Speaking to MMA Fighting he said, “If that doesn’t happen, we’d like the possibility of fighting [Alexander] Volkanovski in December. He doesn’t like to wait, and neither do I, so that could be a good fight.” 

Volkanovski reigned in the featherweight division from 2019-2024 and defended his title against some elite fighters in the division. However, he has lost three out of his four fights lately, with his most recent one coming against Ilia Topuria. Currently, ‘The Great’ is waiting to return to action, but there is no news about his next fight. But now the gauntlet has been laid.

Lopes further added, “A lot can happen, but I think the two most viable options for us right now are being the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi, or fighting Volkanovski in December. The UFC is aware that I’m available for [UFC 308], so it depends on what they want to do.” Well, if Dana White is looking for a backup higher for UFC 308, he has a volunteer. But what does this mean for Volkanovski?

Well, the former champion was hoping to fight for the title upon his return. But maybe he cannot do that straightway with Lopes waiting in the wings. Not only did offering himself as a backup fighter put him in a strong spot but his challenge to Volkanovski, means ‘The Great’  cannot escape him and will have to accept his challenge if he wants that title shot.

Interestingly, Volkanovski himself has been open about facing Lopes under one condition. On September 15, on his namesake YouTube channel, Volkanovski sounded adamant that his next fight would be for the championship but had another idea as well. He said, “Obviously, my next fight is for the title, depending on what happens. Are there injuries in the Max and Ilia fight? Who knows what’s going to happen. Could there be an interim with someone like Lopes? You never know, so we’ll see what happens.” He clarified that the interim title fight with Lopes is only on the cards if the winner of Topuria and Holloway isn’t available to turn around and fight him at a reasonable timeline.

However, according to UFC legend Chael Sonnen, Lopes’ callout of Volkanovski has put the latter’s title shot in jeopardy. Speaking on his YouTube channel on Wednesday Sonnen said, “Whether Diego Lopes meant to do this cause secretly, he’s strategically very good at this or Volkanovski doesn’t know what’s happening. He’s going to sit one out because he thinks he has a guarantee. There are no guarantees. There’s one bout agreement, it goes to one guy. There is officially a call out by Lopes, Volkanovski, the ball is yours.”

Lopes is up for a date with Volkanovski inside the octagon on either December 14 Fight Night card in Tampa, Florida, or to battle in a five-round co-headliner at UFC 310 a week earlier in Las Vegas. But even Lopes’ path to the title may not be straightforward.

The Brazilian has impressed one and all with his recent run inside the Octagon and while he is vying for a title shot, Movsar Evloev has called him out for a fight. However, Lopes declined saying, “You had your chance a few months ago when I called you to fight!! Now you sit back and watch as the bus leaves you waiting,” in a tweet in response to Evloev’s call out.

But during his interview with MMA Fighting, he mentioned that he could compete against the only fighter to hand him a defeat on one condition.  He said, “The only possibility this fight happens is if the UFC really says, ‘OK, you fight him and win, and you’re next for the belt.'” Evloev was set to face former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 307 on October 5. However, Sterling had to pull out from the card after he suffered an injury during his training and will most probably return to action later this year.

Sterling took to his YouTube channel and gave out details of his injury. He also showed his willingness to fight Evloev in December. However, if it doesn’t come to fruition he has a plan B of his own involving  Lopes.

Diego Lopes is the next big target for Aljamain Sterling in the featherweight division

Since losing his bantamweight title, Sterling has found his lost motivation in the new division. The 35-year-old, after his debut victory, is looking to challenge for the title next. However, his injury came at the wrong time and derailed those plans. Sterling is currently working hard on his recovery and plans to return soon. His first preference is Evloev, but his next immediate target is Diego Lopes.

Talking to The Schmo on September 22, he said, “If we’re talking about the next best fight, if Movsar declines, I just don’t know who else would he fight. But if he gives me the option, I’ve always wanted Brian Ortega, so I could get the closest spot to the top, and now that next closest guy is Diego Lopes.”

He also gave his reason for picking Lopes adding, “The name value, what it gets me, risk vs reward. And if I’m gonna risk it for the biscuit that’s the guy I would risk it with.”

The UFC has a tough call ahead of them, with so many fighters wanting to fight each other. It will now be interesting to see who gets the nod ahead from the promotion. Amidst all the possible match-ups, which fighters do you want to see colliding against each other? Let us know your picks in the comments below.