If history has taught us anything about UFC fights, plans can fall through at any time. Hence, the concept of a backup role came into play, and UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes that with less than a month to go, Dana White may have a backup fighter ready for UFC 308. The headlining act will have the 145-pound belt up for grabs and as far as ‘The American Gangster’ is concerned, it may not be someone that fans might expect.

Fans are gearing up for yet another month of two blockbuster pay-per-views. While the first looks promising, the second one is what fans have been looking forward to for the past few months – the Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway featherweight clash. And Dana White, according to Chael Sonnen, already has a plan in motion to save the Abu Dhabi headliner.

Did Dana White sign the backup fighter for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway?

With the UFC 308 PPV approaching soon, the main event is the talk of the town and Chael Sonnen seems to have an inside scoop. He believes that Dana White might have made his “unofficial” pick for the backup role for the featherweight title fight behind the scenes, and that does not involve former champion, Alexander Volkanovski. Surprisingly, he believes this is because ‘The Great’ has yet to receive his much-deserved rematch after one of the most legendary champion runs in the 145-pound division. Then who can that be? Well, it’s the emerging explosive star, Diego Lopes.

“[Diego] Lopes has been named. It’s unofficial, but been named to the backup position for Max [Holloway] versus Ilia Topuria,” Chael Sonnen stated on YouTube, adding, “When I tell you unofficially, I’m going back to a press conference done after the event at the Sphere. Between that press conference and now, quite possibly he’s inked that deal. If I’m ignorant of that, forgive me.” Diego Lopes is on a hot 5-fight streak and even challenged Volkanovski next. But Chael Sonnen suggests that Dana White will prefer setting the young Brazilian featherweight star, and fly him all the way to the Middle East for the backup role of the Max Holloway vs Ilia Topuria title fight.

“I believe he will become the official backup, I believe he will get licensed, I believe he will be on an airplane, and I believe that at bell time, he will be the replacement fighter,” Sonnen added. This might be a wonderful opportunity for Diego Lopes, but it’s not a missed one for the former champion, Alexander Volkanovski. He already has his own plan in mind as well.

Not the backup fight? Not a problem for Alexander Vokanovski

After his win at Noche UFC 2 over former title contender Brian Ortega, Diego Lopes wanted the big fish. It’s not the reigning champion, but the one whom he defeated to become the undisputed king, Alexander Volkanovski, at UFC 310. But that fight doesn’t excite the Aussie star because the only thing that he’s gunning for now is the title fight, which is a done deal with Dana White and the other matchmakers.

“We’ve already talked to the UFC, obviously I’m fighting for the title (next), that’s what it was always going to be,” Alexander Volkanovski recently told ‘Submission Radio’.“If it was going to be (Lopes) next, something would have to happen to one of the guys from the fight, whether they get injured or move divisions or whatnot, and there was an interim title or something like that, obviously I’m not scared of nobody but I’m fighting for the title and that’s that.”

If what Chael Sonnen suggests is true, Dana White could be handing the opportunity of a lifetime to Diego Lopes if any of the headliners of UFC 308 succumb to setbacks before the fight. But we’ll have to wait for further developments as UFC 307 is still a few days away.