The UFC 145-pound division is poised for some significant shake-up in the final quarter of 2024. Former title challenger Brian Ortega finally takes on the red-hot Diego Lopes. They meet next week at the annual Noche UFC (UFC 306) pay-per-view main card. If ‘T-City’ can’t make the cut (again), Lopes plans to tread ahead anyway.
Lopes and Brian ‘T-City’ Ortega will meet in the third bout of the Noche UFC main card. They were to meet at the UFC 303 pay-per-view in June but Ortega pulled out at the 11th hour. It is to be noted that Ortega accepted that fight on 15 days’ notice. As such, making weight and being in top condition was always going to be a problem. In fact, the dreaded weight cut resulted in his body shutting down and he couldn’t lose any more weight despite a 10-pound allowance.
We…we’ve seen this before…[the cut problem] But he’s always made. He’s gonna get it for 145 and we are gonna make this happen. I’ve said [before]…It doesn’t matter. Whatever happens happens. I’ll fight anybody, at anytime, anyplace.
Diego Lopes through a translator to UFC 306 open workout media scrum
This time around, the Brazilian out of Team Lobo Gym MMA is ready to rock again. However, he is still keeping that sage mentality ahead of UFC 306. Given that there are title implications on the line, he doesn’t care if Ortega makes it to the cage; whether he scales in heavy or not at all. Diego Lopes will be ready.
The current featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, makes his first title defense at UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi. Former divisional and UFC pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski is widely expected to challenge the winner of this matchup. However, as the queue lines up behind him, Topuria has pitched he might give the respectable Lopes a berth. Given he gets past Brian Ortega. So the stakes are quite high for the 29-year-old.
Another facet of his matchup with the Team Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center BJJ savant is the placement. Lopes’ Lobo Gym MMA reps the WMMA flyweight champ Alexa Grasso. He expects to finish whatever challenge he faces in a timely order and corner Grasso in the penultimate matchup. The fighter means business; with a prime statement win, Lopes also sees himself in a spot to earn a shot at the featherweight title.
UFC 306’s Diego Lopes sees win over Brian Ortega as a case for a title shot
Diego Lopes has had a good streak going on. Winning four straight in just under 11 months against Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodiq Yusuff, and Dan Ige. Before his rescheduled bout with Brian Ortega, Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) snagged a unanimous decision win in June. Subsequently, he even starred in the milestone April UFC 300 pay-per-view before that.
Diego Lopes looks to make his mark at Noche UFC next week (Source: boxemag.com/X)Lopes, 29, has been on the rise over the past 13 months since he accepted a short-notice fight against Movsar Evloev in May 2023. Although he lost, he became a household name for competing against a ranked opponent. While he has been on a roll, Lopes knows how potent the hard-chin brawler ‘T-City’ is. Hence, with a victory, Lopes sees himself shooting for the title.
I think that with a great fight against Brian Ortega…that puts my name on the table to be considered for a title shot, especially with some of the statements made by Ilia, I think that helps as well, …I think it all depends on me. Having a great fight and finishing this fight against Ortega puts me in a contendership for the title.
Diego Lopes further said
When he finally fights at UFC 306 – Riyadh Season Noche UFC, Lopes is already keen on sporting a championship mentality. With a win over a top name like Ortega, he thinks his rise to the top will be undeniable. Meanwhile, Ortega is looking for another consecutive win after beating Yair Rodriguez.
