Morning Report: Diego Lopes wants Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Sydney
If Ilia Topuria is going to take some time off, Diego Lopes wants Alexander Volkanovski next.
This past Saturday, Topuria authored one of the most impressive wins of the year, knocking out Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308. It was the first time the iron-chinned Holloway has ever been knocked out, which even impressed Lopes, who was sitting cageside for the event.
âIt was a good knockout,â Lopes told Ariel Helwani. âIt was really impressive, but it was even more shocking just to see Max on the floor. It had never happened. I was really shocked by that…
âMax did a good job keeping the distance in the [beginning] of the fight, but I told my brother during the fight, if Ilia got in there he could have the chance to knock him out…
âGoing into the fight I thought that Max was going to win. I never thought that Ilia would knock him out.â
Lopes served as the backup fighter for UFC 308 but his services were not needed as both Topuria and Holloway made weight for their featherweight title fight. And while sometimes being a backup fighter means youâre next in line for the title shot, that doesnât appear to be the case for Lopes.
Following his Topuriaâs big win, the UFC brought former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski into the cage for a faceoff, seemingly setting up a rematch between the two. That could leave Lopes waiting in the wings again.
All hope isnât lost for Lopes though. For one, Topuria seems interested in taking some time off instead of making a quick turnaround to defend his title again, and for another, UFC CEO Dana White has already suggested the promotion wants to bring him to Spain for a debut event. If that means a prolonged hiatus to figure out, Lopes has the perfect plan.
âWe were never promised a title shot going into this,â Lopes said. âWe just agreed to be the backup but we will for sure try to find our way to that title shot…
âIlia mentioned on Saturday night that he wanted to take some time off. Also, UFC mentioned theyâre working on a date for Spain. While this is all going on, it would make the most sense for me to just fight âVolkâ in Sydney for the interim title. âVolkâ has already suggested this. Iâve already agreed to it. Letâs just do it.â
The UFC heads back to Sydney on Feb. 9 for UFC 312, and it would make sense for Volkanovski to be on the card. Moreover, the former featherweight champion has already shown some willingness for this scenario, depending on how long Topuria will be out. However, Volkanovski may ultimately choose to wait for his title shot, and if he does, then Lopes may wait as well â unless the UFC comes to him with a particularly good offer.
âObviously, we feel that the fight with Volkanovski makes the most sense for us,â Lopes said. âIt gets us on the title shot track, but if UFC wants to give us another offer in Mexico City, we have to talk as a team with the management and see what the options are here.
âIâm not really interested in fighting anybody but Volkanovski. It makes the most sense. If the UFC says we have to wait around for a title shot, then weâll wait. If we fight for the interim [title] or Volkanovski, thatâs a conversation weâll have to have with management.â
Ultimately, it may be quite a while before Lopes gets his crack at Topuria and the featherweight title, but when he does, he believes the fight will be worth the wait for fans.
âWe know watching Iliaâs fights that heâs very forward [moving] and likes to create pressure,â Lopes said. âI also like to create pressure and we both have very heavy hands. It would be a really good fight and any one of us could drop at any moment because of that.â
TOP STORIES
Plea. Jon Jones reached an agreement to have charges dismissed in assault case.
FOTY. Matt Brown believes Ilia Topuria locked up Fighter of the Year for 2024.
185. Chael Sonnen revealed what Sean Strickland said to him after Khamzat Chimaevâs impressive win at UFC 308.
Shorts. Brandon Moreno got custom fight shorts for UFC Edmonton this weekend.
Retired. Carla Esparza didnât like the decision, but insists sheâs done with fighting.
Mailbag. Answering reader questions including how long can Ilia Topuria reign at featherweight?
VIDEO STEW
Carla Esparza.
The bogeyman of the UFC.
Brandon Moreno and Amir Albizi got a feature from ESPN.
Some free fights.
And Carlos Condit highlights.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Fighter vs. Writer
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Statement.
I would like to extend my thanks to the justice system for reaching a prompt resolution in this matter, which affirms my innocence and enables me to maintain my focus on the upcoming fight. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to defend my heavyweight title on November 16thâŠ
â BONY (@JonnyBones) October 29, 2024
Paulo Costa with harsh words.
I wonât ask UFC to feed me with this disconcerted goat depraver anymore , this gonna happen anyway , and I will receive him on my lap graciously .
He was lucky enough that Rob broke his jaw before he submitted. (Rob jaws wasnât broke by squeezing) only nonsense thought this way⊠pic.twitter.com/ONDA9fnTvM
â Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) October 29, 2024
Class for days.
Sucks to suck. Run backwards your last 3 fights with 10 significant strikes and expect to have your job is blasphemy. Goodluck on your future endeavors. https://t.co/eU3Lkf83kY
â Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) October 29, 2024
Training.
Surgery.
I had a disc replacement 6 weeks ago which provided zero relief. 2 fusions today. Fingers crossed. The last 18 months have been probably the worst period of my life but I couldnât have done it without my amazing wife by my side. Itâs also her birthday today and she spent it sat⊠pic.twitter.com/SuuMgiEEcp
â michael (@bisping) October 30, 2024
Samesies.
Just saw the first Paul vs Tyson commercial on Netflix and I already feel dirty
â Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) October 30, 2024
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mauricio Ruffy (10-1) vs. James Llontop (14-4); UFC 309, Nov. 16.
Sergei Pavlovich (18-3) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5); UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Some people wonât like it, but I think Volk vs. Lopes is the right idea. Let Topuria take some time off and get a venue in Spain for the summer where he fights the winner. Plus, Volk really should get a win before stepping back in there and getting clobbered again.
EXIT POLL
Poll
What do you want to see happen next?
25%
Topuria vs. Volkanovski
(34 votes)
74%
Volkanovski vs. Lopes
(101 votes)
135 votes total
Vote Now
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