After the UFC booked Diego Lopes’ upcoming fight, Lopes faced backlash from the MMA community and fighters. Now the Brazilian has urged other contenders to stop complaining.
The 30-year-old, who is now the number two ranked featherweight prospect, faced Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant 145-pound belt at UFC 314 earlier this year and lost by decision. After that loss, Lopes returned to winning ways by knocking out Jean Silva in September.
The MMA community had assumed that number four 145-pounder Lerone Murphy, who knocked out Aaron Pico at UFC 319 earlier this year, would be next against champion Volkanovski, or that it would be undefeated Movsar Evloev.
However, Dana White surprised everyone with the headliner of UFC 325, with Volkanovski and Lopes turning it back.
MurphyAljamain Sterling and many others were not happy about Lopes getting another title shot. Even Volkanovski seemed surprised. Lopes, on the other hand, after noticing all the reactions he faced, wrote on X:
“My face when I saw everyone crying 🤣🤣 If you stay put he won’t give you a title fight. Get started and stop whining on social media.”
Check out Diego Lopes’ comments below:
https://twitter.com/Diegolopesmma/status/1994497653821116695
Diego Lopes changes tune on title shot-deserving fighter
Two months earlier, during a conversation with Ariel Helwani, Diego Lopes was asked who he thought should earn a shot at featherweight gold next. Lopes named Lerone Murphy the most deserving contender. He also stated that once he gets past Jean Silva, he wants to fight for the belt again. But if UFC asks him to fight another contender before becoming a second title contender, he would do so.
“I think Lerone Murphy [should fight next for the belt]. He did great in his last fight. I think he deserves to fight for the title, but I feel sorry for Movsar, man.
Check out Diego Lopes’ comments below:
#Diego #Lopes #hits #nagging #contenders