Backup Fighter Diego Lopes Shares His Ideal Opponent UFC 308

With UFC 308 just around the corner, the match between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway promises to be an electrifying featherweight showdown. Official backup fighter, Diego Lopes, stands ready to step in should any issues arise with either of the headliners. Lopes recently shed light on who he would prefer to face between the two in the highly anticipated title fight.

Evaluating His Potential Opponents: Experience and Fighting Styles

Lopes, who is currently training for the fight and will be weighing in alongside the other competitors, may find himself in a title bout if either Topuria or Holloway cannot compete. The Brazilian fighter has a solid MMA record of 26 wins and 6 losses, with 5 of those victories coming in the UFC, earning him recognition as a rising star. When analyzing both potential opponents, Lopes was candid about his views.

In assessing Max Holloway’s chances, Lopes pointed out the former champion’s incredible resilience and extensive experience inside the octagon.

“Max has never been knocked out, but we know anything can happen, and Ilia has power in his punches. But I still give Max the advantage due to his experience and the tough competition he’s faced,” Lopes explained.

He also noted that Holloway’s seasoned fight IQ might be the determining factor in a contest against the hard-hitting Topuria.

Preferring a Title Fight with Ilia Topuria

Despite giving the edge to Holloway in a potential bout, Lopes revealed that he would prefer to face Topuria if he had the choice. According to him, their styles would make for a more dynamic and exciting match-up.

“It’s a match that fits me. Against Max, we’d need a more complex strategy without mistakes,” Lopes said.

He believes that his aggressive and explosive approach would pair well against Topuria’s similarly powerful striking game, making for an entertaining contest for the fans. Still, Lopes has expressed admiration for Holloway in the past, calling him a “dream opponent.” However, he speculates that if they were to fight, it would likely be for an interim title rather than the undisputed belt, as Topuria currently holds the championship.

Regardless of which fighter he faces, Lopes remains focused on the opportunity ahead.

“I’m ready for a challenge, no matter who I face. Fighting for the title would be a dream come true,” he added.

Lopes’ rise in the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable, having quickly established himself as one of the top contenders in the featherweight division.

UFC 308 Full Fight Card (US Eastern Time):

Featherweight Title Fight: Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Max Holloway
Middleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Preliminary Card (ESPN+):

Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Lightweight: Mateusz R?becki vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Daniel Santos
Middleweight: Abusupiyan Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira
Bantamweight: Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo
Middleweight: Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva
Welterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Light Heavyweight: Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira

This upcoming UFC 308 event promises to be one of the most thrilling cards of the year, especially with the added possibility of Diego Lopes stepping into the spotlight for a title fight. Fans will eagerly tune in to see if Lopes’ services will be required and to witness what could be the biggest moment of his career.

Source: MMAnytt.se

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