News Diego Lopes wants to be backup for Topuria vs Holloway

Diego's rise to the top has been very fun to watch. One of the toughest short notice UFC debuts you could ask for in Evloev, as well as showing up and making 3 different weights for 2 different opponents at UFC 303.

Taking on progressively higher ranked opponents and climbing the ladder in the most organic way you could hope for. Every opportunity he's been given has felt merited. He's not only justified each match, he's made a statement each time.

He is on a tear and has that same desire as Alex Pereira to fight soon and fight often. The UFC is so lucky to have both these guys.

A Volk fight sounds very intriguing. I have my concerns for him striking with Topuria or Holloway at this stage.
 
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I think Lopes as the backup is a good idea, I don't want to see Lopes vs Volk though. Volk deserves his title rematch, Lopes should rematch Evloev to determine the next title challenger.
 
Subline said:
I think Lopes as the backup is a good idea, I don't want to see Lopes vs Volk though. Volk deserves his title rematch, Lopes should rematch Evloev to determine the next title challenger.
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Lopes already beat higher ranked opponents than Evlo...why would they rematch them and lose out on a potential future matchup?

Lopes vs Volk would be fire btw so why hate on it?
What if Max wins?...what rematch is there for the ageing Volk at that point sir.?
 
MDoza said:
How tf is Lopes #3 in the division? His recent wins are: Ortega (2-4 in his last 6 fights) Ige (4-6 in his last 10 fights) He has no other ranked wins. Meanwhile, Evloev, who beat Lopes and is undefeated, is ranked #6?
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MDoza said:
How tf is Lopes #3 in the division? His recent wins are: Ortega (2-4 in his last 6 fights) Ige (4-6 in his last 10 fights) He has no other ranked wins. Meanwhile, Evloev, who beat Lopes and is undefeated, is ranked #6?
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MDoza said:
How tf is Lopes #3 in the division? His recent wins are: Ortega (2-4 in his last 6 fights) Ige (4-6 in his last 10 fights) He has no other ranked wins. Meanwhile, Evloev, who beat Lopes and is undefeated, is ranked #6?
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Lopes against either guy would at least be fun while it lasts.
 
gentel said:
How's it undeserved? He just beat Ortega easily - Volk almost got subbed twice
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How about other top competition outside of a 4 hour replacement? Ortega was also getting his ass beat in between those flash submission attempts. After going 2-2 he probably shouldn't have been #3 to begin with.
 
MDoza said:
How tf is Lopes #3 in the division?

His recent wins are:
Ortega (2-4 in his last 6 fights)
Ige (4-6 in his last 10 fights)

He has no other ranked wins.

Meanwhile, Evloev, who beat Lopes and is undefeated, is ranked #6?
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Lopes won v. Evloev.
 
MDoza said:
How tf is Lopes #3 in the division?

His recent wins are:
Ortega (2-4 in his last 6 fights)
Ige (4-6 in his last 10 fights)

He has no other ranked wins.

Meanwhile, Evloev, who beat Lopes and is undefeated, is ranked #6?
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He beat highly ranked opponents. Pretty self-explanatory.

Having a losing record doesn't mean you are not a highly ranked or quality opponent.
 
I like the idea of him as the backup.

I don't love the Volk idea. There's a high probability he gets derailed. Even if Lopes wins people will just discredit Volk as an old past prime fighter.

IMO they should just give him the next TS. Yair and Volk are both coming off a pair of losses and he just beat Ortega. There isn't a great case for anyone else, other than just out of respect to Volk's past accomplishments.
 
Both Top and Holloway would absolutely smoke his ass
 
Neck&Neck said:
Both Top and Holloway would absolutely smoke his ass
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Lopes gotta work like crazy on his striking defense to have a chance against Topuria, but at least his BJJ game would give him a decent chance against Holloway
 
gentel said:
Lopes gotta work like crazy on his striking defense to have a chance against Topuria, but at least his BJJ game would give him a decent chance against Holloway
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I think Holloway might be the tougher fight
Dude is tough as nails
 
jx820 said:
I like the idea of him as the backup.

I don't love the Volk idea. There's a high probability he gets derailed. Even if Lopes wins people will just discredit Volk as an old past prime fighter.

IMO they should just give him the next TS. Yair and Volk are both coming off a pair of losses and he just beat Ortega. There isn't a great case for anyone else, other than just out of respect to Volk's past accomplishments.
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Volk would be an idiot to take that fight, it's super high-risk/low-reward; Lopes win would be a W over an all-time great and huge name, Volk would just keep his place in the pecking order for a rematch with Topuria. Volk probably sits out and waits for the result of Max/Illia and hopes it's Topuria that comes out on top.

I don't think Lopes has enough of a name just yet to be put in that position - I'd like to see him sit out a while as well and wait for Aljo/Eveloev to get rebooked and then fight the winner of that to solidify his title shot, after that he would be undeniable if he avenged his only defeat or takes out a former champion.

I get that people want to see him speed-run to a title shot based on how exciting he is, but from a business stand-point it makes little sense to the UFC currently.
 
Dan Ige, whos essentially just a worse version of Topuria, nearly killed him on 4 hours notice. Topuria would absolutely decimate Lopes.

Lopes vs Max would be a fun fight though
 
TheMMAnalyst said:
Volk would be an idiot to take that fight, it's super high-risk/low-reward; Lopes win would be a W over an all-time great and huge name, Volk would just keep his place in the pecking order for a rematch with Topuria. Volk probably sits out and waits for the result of Max/Illia and hopes it's Topuria that comes out on top.

I don't think Lopes has enough of a name just yet to be put in that position - I'd like to see him sit out a while as well and wait for Aljo/Eveloev to get rebooked and then fight the winner of that to solidify his title shot, after that he would be undeniable if he avenged his only defeat or takes out a former champion.

I get that people want to see him speed-run to a title shot based on how exciting he is, but from a business stand-point it makes little sense to the UFC currently.
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I'm just skeptical that the interest will be there for a Volk vs Topuria rematch.

If Max wins I think Volk is a lock for that title shot.
 
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