Diego Lopes calls for interim title fight with Alexander Volkanovski following Ilia Topuria’s win at UFC 308
Highly-ranked UFC featherweight Diego Lopes is looking to fight for gold in his next bout, and he wants his opponent to be former divisional kingpin Alexander Volkanovski.
Lopes, who was last seen in action against Brian Ortega at UFC 306 last month, is currently on a five-fight winning streak. He is also currently no.3, just behind Max Holloway and Volkanovski.
In an appearance at The Ariel Helwani Show, Diego Lopes explained why he wants 'The Great' and why an interim title makes sense, saying (translated):
"Ilia [Topuria] mentioned on Saturday night that he wanted to take some time off. Also UFC mentioned that they're working on a date for Spain. [I] feel like, while this is all going on, it would make the most sense for [me] to fight Volk [Volkanovski] in Sydney. For the interim title. Volk already suggested this. I already agreed to it. Let's just do it."
Lopes then highlighted that the champion, Ilia Topuria, wants to take some time off to wait for UFC Spain and that Volkanovski might not want to wait that long. Hence, an interim title fight between him and the Aussie to determine who'll face Topuria in the unification makes total sense.
Check out Diego Lopes' comment here:
Ilia Topuria believes Alexander Volkanovski, not Diego Lopes, deserves next title shot
Contrary to what Diego Lopes said, Ilia Topuria believes Alexander Volkanovski is the one who deserves the next shot at his belt.
During his post-fight octagon interview after knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308 last weekend, 'El Matador' was greeted by the Aussie former world champion in the octagon.
After hugging and exchanging niceties with his former foe, Topuria said:
"[To Volkanovski] We're gonna do it again. You deserve that. You're the man. [To UFC commentator Daniel Cormier] He defended his title seven times or I don't know how many times. If someone deserves it, it's him. So let's do it, bro."
The undefeated Topuria took the belt from Volkanovski in violent KO fashion in February this year. Since then, the former champ has been campaigning for a rematch. Perhaps Lopes can wait and see who wins between the two and then challenge the winner then? We'll see.
Watch Ilia Topuria's UFC 308 octagon interview here: