How would Lopes fare against Murphy or Evloev?

[scytheavatar]

I am of the opinion that Lopes is a meathead and even if he somehow got lucky and beat Volk he was never going to be a champ that lasts long. His nature means that he won't be destroyed by Murphy or Evloev but I do not see how he can avoid losing to them in the scoreboard. I think a fight between him and Sterling would be interesting but Sterling probably won't want to wait and Sterling vs Silva sounds like smart matchmaking.

 

[gentel]

Lopes already lost to Evloev but still looked pretty impressive while doing so - Volk was the first one to make him look bad tonight

 

[Washad]

Its very possible that once his chin is cracked he’ll go on a Tony skid. No progress in his game since the Evloev fight. Crazy chin atm tho’.

 

[Deltron 6060]

I could see Murphy having another Pico style highlight against Lopes.

 

[LeBron]

Lopes is shit and regressing. Also, Silva was going to finish him before getting overzealous.

 

[oski]

Evloev is the uncrowned king at 45. Everyone can hate it, but the Russians are just way better at this shit and probably for years to come.

 

[Goatenstein]

I don't see Lopes getting back to another title shot. If not for Jean Silva fighting like a complete moron he never would have got this undeserved rematch.

 

[Subline]

I'd pick him to beat Murphy, possibly by KO.
Movsar wrestlefucks him to a close decision again.

 

[TheStruggler]

I could see Murphy having another Pico style highlight against Lopes.

To be fair, Murphy was getting overwhelmed and mauled by Pico until the luck hellbow. Not sure he can get lucky with something like that against Lopes. Would have rather seent Volk stylize Murphys law last night than the shit show we got, but dana bless.

 

[JKS]

Evloev is the uncrowned king at 45. Everyone can hate it, but the Russians are just way better at this shit and probably for years to come.

Evloev will get smoked by Volk lol. Russians are highly overrated in that respect. You're not looking at the guys that lose and don't perform well.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

I am of the opinion that Lopes is a meathead and even if he somehow got lucky and beat Volk he was never going to be a champ that lasts long. His nature means that he won't be destroyed by Murphy or Evloev but I do not see how he can avoid losing to them in the scoreboard. I think a fight between him and Sterling would be interesting but Sterling probably won't want to wait and Sterling vs Silva sounds like smart matchmaking.

Evo already beat him. Only in the UFC could you have an undefeated contender and a guy that he beats gets 2 cracks at the title before Movsar does. They should change the name to UEC. Ultimate Entertainment Championship. Dana and friends are working very hard to make the road to the title harder for fighters they don't like.

 

[KO Shotz]

Lopes vs Lerone would be a banger. Evloev would most likely out wrestle Lopes & grind out a win. Lopes would only have a punchers chance vs Evloev imo.

 

[mkt]

I could see Murphy having another Pico style highlight against Lopes.

Yeah, Lopes is very hittable, though not quite as much last night. Jean Silva was landing almost everything on him and knocking his head back with many shots.

 

[Nobru]

Lopes already lost to Evloev but still looked pretty impressive while doing so - Volk was the first one to make him look bad tonight

yeah but dont forget Lopes was a replacement in this fight with a 10 to 15 days notice if my memory aint failing me.

 

[ClinchmasterEdwards93291]

I am of the opinion that Lopes is a meathead and even if he somehow got lucky and beat Volk he was never going to be a champ that lasts long. His nature means that he won't be destroyed by Murphy or Evloev but I do not see how he can avoid losing to them in the scoreboard. I think a fight between him and Sterling would be interesting but Sterling probably won't want to wait and Sterling vs Silva sounds like smart matchmaking.

quite well against both tbh. murphy did not show great cage craft against pico so lopes fearless aggression would be a problem even with lopes shit cage craft.

evloevs striking is also good and hes scrappy but how does he keep lopes off him and exchange with him? theres also the problem (especially for movsar) that lopes is a giant man with amazing physicality who now has excellent takedown defense so movsar will have a hard time imposing his wrestling.

hes also a genuinely good offensive wrestler now with what looks like pretty crushing top control and great gnp. who wants to scramble with that guy and end up with him on top of you? evloev would probably feel alot different about 2 minutes 30 of top control from lopes compared to the top control he gave up vs sterling.

I think murphy has the best chance because hes not as dependent on his wrestling and seems to have more pop i guess but lopes is terrifying for either of them especially movsar. hes got a legendary chin and is absolutely fearless along with being incredibly scary on the feet. hes also now very difficult to take down so you dont have much of a way to get out of jail free. and hes a very physical genuinely good wrestler with excellent grappling who will try to take you down and if you lose the scrambles he might beat you half to death or sub you. hes basically chucky olives with a better chin and worse (but still very scary) striking. and thats a miserable fight for anyone.

I really hope lopes goes somewhere with better striking coaches because he could genuinely be champ with some improvements on the feet. or he could just get so good at wrestling that it doesnt matter. the only guy id confidently pick to beat him now is silva in the rematch because silva was just eating him alive on the feet and has scary power.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Evloev is the uncrowned king at 45. Everyone can hate it, but the Russians are just way better at this shit and probably for years to come.

Ehh, Evloev arguably lost to Arnold Allen and really struggled vs Lopes. Ya know, 145 is pretty shallow and Volks pretty old but I dont think Evloev would have had an easy time vs Max Holloway or Topuria...and Volk will probably give him a lot of trouble, but I want to see it.

 

[El Panteron]

I had him beating Evloev 29-28 in their fight, but I'll say I think partially it was due to the short notice nature of the fight and I think Evloev beats him if they rematch, particularly on 5 rounds.

The fight v. Murphy is more interesting. Lopes has an iron chin and pressures a lot, Murphy is very comfortable counterstriking. Could be a great fight.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Evo already beat him. Only in the UFC could you have an undefeated contender and a guy that he beats gets 2 cracks at the title before Movsar does. They should change the name to UEC. Ultimate Entertainment Championship. Dana and friends are working very hard to make the road to the title harder for fighters they don't like.

Maybe it's because evloev has been in the ufc since 2019 and has fought 9 times and lopes has been in the UFC since 2023 and has fought 9 times already?

yeah but dont forget Lopes was a replacement in this fight with a 10 to 15 days notice if my memory aint failing me.

It was also his UFC debut

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

To be fair, Murphy was getting overwhelmed and mauled by Pico until the luck hellbow. Not sure he can get lucky with something like that against Lopes. Would have rather seent Volk stylize Murphys law last night than the shit show we got, but dana bless.

There was nothing lucky about that elbow.

Pico moves in blitzing straight lines and got timed and setup accordingly for being predictable.

Murphy got lit up for a minute then adjusted and started hitting Pico everytime he collapsed the pocket.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

Maybe it's because evloev has been in the ufc since 2019 and has fought 9 times and lopes has been in the UFC since 2023 and has fought 9 times already?

It was also his UFC debut

Dana likes to reward the guys who fight a lot. Lopes has a more fan-friendly style as well. I'd prefer the best fighting the best but I get it. I'm not complaining about Evo vs Murphy, that'll be a good fight and I like the clash of styles. I still think Evo deserved the Volk fight but it is what it is.