LAS VEGAS – Many assumed, but now we know Diego LopesMichael’s mindset and approach towards a UFC title shot.
Unlike many fighters, Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) says he’s not the type to sit around waiting while he campaigns for a title shot if he wins this Saturday against Brian Ortega in the co-main event of the UFC 303which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Although there are reasons to fight for the title if Lopes raises his hand this weekend, the Brazilian wants to fight often, whether the belt is on the line or not.
“If Max (Holloway) vs. Ilia (Topuria) gets a yellow card, I don’t want to sit around waiting,” Lopes told reporters through an interpreter at UFC 303 media day on Wednesday. “I would talk to the UFC and ask them to sign me against whoever wanted to fight.”
There has been speculation of a potential featherweight title fight between champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway later this summer. While nothing is official, it seems like a likely result at 145 pounds.
If the fight fails, Lopes sees it as a very competitive affair, but he has to side with “Blessed”.
“It’s a very interesting fight,” explained Lopes. “We know that Ilia is young, he goes forward and has a lot of knockout power. However, Max proved to have the best chin in the UFC. He was never knocked out. He was never knocked out – well, I don’t know if the fight against (Justin) Gaethje counted as a knockout.
“I think Max has a lot of experience with all types of fighters. He had a little trouble fighting someone shorter like Volkanovski, but we’ve also seen Ilia have trouble with much taller fighters, like the fight where he got knocked down. I think this fight is very interesting, but I lean a little more towards Max.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 303.
