The UFC featherweight division is currently experiencing some exciting developments that are making headlines. One of the prominent fighters, Diego Lopes, has been making significant progress toward becoming a title contender. However, a recent post from the UFC listed Conor McGregor as a potential next opponent for Ilia Topuria rather than Lopes.
Ilia Topuria successfully defended his belt against former champion Max Holloway at UFC 308. Following this victory, there was speculation about who Topuria’s next opponent should be. While several contenders were hoping for a shot at the title, not all received recognition. One notable name that was overlooked is #3 ranked featherweight fighter Diego Lopes. He responded in a hilarious retort.
And I’m a soccer player? Or what’s going on?
Diego Lopes via X (@Diegolopesmma)
As the #3 ranked featherweight fighter, the Brazilian fighter felt he deserved a spot on the matchmaker’s list. The list included lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Interestingly, Lopes might have been confused to see Conor McGregor’s name on that list, as the Irishman hasn’t stepped inside the UFC octagon since 2021.
And I’m a soccer player? Or what’s going on? 🤔🤦🏼♂️
— Diego Lopes 🇧🇷🇲🇽 (@Diegolopesmma) October 29, 2024
There are several theories regarding why the UFC included McGregor on that list. One reason could be the ongoing rivalry between Topuria and the Irishman, characterized by their mutual insults. Another possibility is the exceptional trash-talking skills both fighters possess, which could significantly garner a lot of attention in their potential fight.
Interestingly, several UFC fighters, including Aljamain Sterling and Kamaru Usman, have recently expressed support for making the McGregor vs. Topuria fight a reality. However, in the middle of that, a well-known MMA coach has drawn comparisons between McGregor and Topuria.
MMA coach Javier Mendez believes Ilia Topuria has surpassed Conor McGregor
Javier Mendez has trained numerous UFC champions, including standout fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier. With his extensive experience observing the development of various UFC stars, he can easily draw comparisons between them. Recently, Mendez compared Ilia Topuria to Conor McGregor.
In his prime, McGregor was undoubtedly one of the most popular MMA stars in the world. His remarkable UFC career made this possible, as he became the first UFC champion to hold two titles simultaneously. However, in a recent interview, Mendez claimed that Topuria has already surpassed McGregor in terms of both achievements and talent.
When it comes to KO power, it’s him (Ilia Topuria) and Conor (Mcgregor). But for all the way around is he’s Conor… As far as achievements as far as like you know talent for talent, yeah I feel, he’s more of a complete package…
Javier Mendez via Submission Radio
While Mendez made his statement, Topuria still has a significant journey ahead of McGregor in terms of achievements. Currently, the Spaniard has only two championship fight wins and holds the featherweight title. Nevertheless, Topuria has consistently expressed his desire to achieve record-breaking feats in the promotion. It will be interesting to see how the future unfolds for the UFC featherweight champion.
