Diego Lopes reveals he was close to fighting Dan Hooker before securing a blockbuster lightweight BMF title clash with Charles Oliveira.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship landscape shifted dramatically when Diego Lopes was announced to headline December's UFC 335 event against Charles Oliveira. Moving up to the lightweight division, the talented contender aims for the prestigious BMF title after facing limited options at featherweight, according to information published by mmamania.
The Mexican-based Brazilian contender previously fought twice against champion Alexander Volkanovski and secured a victory over Steve Garcia at a White House event. Seeking fresh challenges at 155 pounds, Lopes entered negotiations for high-profile matchups before the promotion finalized the upcoming championship bout.
As anticipation builds for UFC 335, fans and analysts continue to evaluate the strategic matchmaking decisions made by the organization. The journey from featherweight contender to lightweight title challenger highlights the evolving career trajectory of Diego Lopes within the elite MMA promotion, according to information published by mmamania.
Diego Lopes lightweight division transition
After defeating Steve Garcia earlier this year, Diego Lopes evaluated his future in the sport, noting that he had nowhere left to go at 145 pounds. Wanting to engage in fun fights, the athlete decided to make the permanent or temporary move to the lightweight division. This strategic shift opens up brand new matchups against top-tier contenders in a heavier weight class.
Dan Hooker UFC Paris main event plans
Before the Charles Oliveira fight materialized, Diego Lopes was originally offered a matchup against Dan Hooker to headline the UFC Paris event in September. That opportunity vanished when the promotion instead selected Salahdine Parnasse from MVP MMA to face Hooker at the Accor Arena, paving a different path for the incoming lightweight.
Charles Oliveira BMF title fight details
Following the canceled Paris bout, the organization offered Diego Lopes a massive opportunity against Brazilian legend Charles Oliveira for the BMF belt. Oliveira won the championship earlier this year by defeating Max Holloway. Interestingly, this historic matchup marks Oliveira's first UFC fight against a fellow Brazilian since 2010.
Future plans at featherweight
Despite making his 155-pound debut, Diego Lopes clarified that this move does not permanently close the door on the featherweight division. If champion Alexander Volkanovski loses to Movsar Evloev, Lopes could easily find renewed motivation to drop back down and re-enter the 145-pound title picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Diego Lopes fighting at UFC 335?
Diego Lopes is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira for the BMF title in the main event of UFC 335 in December.
Why did Diego Lopes move up to lightweight?
Diego Lopes moved up to 155 pounds because he felt he had limited options left at featherweight after fighting Alexander Volkanovski twice.
Who was Diego Lopes originally offered to fight instead of Charles Oliveira?
Diego Lopes was originally offered a main event fight against Dan Hooker at UFC Paris before that matchup fell through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the BMF belt before Charles Oliveira?
Charles Oliveira won the BMF belt by defeating Max Holloway in March.
Could Diego Lopes return to the featherweight division?
Diego Lopes stated that his move to lightweight does not mean he will never return to 145 pounds in the future.
