Former UFC featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes is considering a move up to lightweight, after fighting for the featherweight belt twice and still failing capture it.
Lopes first fought for the 145-pound strap at UFC 314 in 2025 opposite Alexander Volkanovski after Ilia Topuria vacated the championship and moved up. However, he could not capture the title, as his more experienced Australian opponent consistently outworked him and executed a well-balanced game plan to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion.
In 2026, the UFC brass gave Lopes another opportunity to capture the 145-pound throne.
After he knocked out Jean Silva last year at Noche UFC and returned to winning ways, the matchmakers handed him a title rematch ahead of other deserving contenders like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy.