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Diego Lopes has twice challenged Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Title and has twice been defeated by the champion.
The fighter does not know what his next move may be yet, but a change in weight class could be in his future.
“A third title shot would be difficult because I've already lost two, so we’re analyzing whether I stay in the category or try to fight at a higher weight,” Lopes said in an interview with Laerte Viana (transcript via Marcelo Alonso of Sherdog). “I spent the last few weeks in Brazil with my family, when I get back, I’ll analyze it with my coaches and manager.
“But we also have to see what the UFC’s plans are, right? Because we know that, even if you want to move up, I think it’s a little more difficult when you’re already at a much higher level. I’ve had two title fights, I’m number two, it’s a little more difficult than if I were starting out and wanted to change weight classes. An example is [Brian] Ortega. How many times has he said he wanted to move up a weight class, and the UFC has never been able to find a lightweight fight for him that everyone would like? First, I want to talk to the UFC, I want to see what they have in mind for me, what they’re going to tell me, and also give them my opinion. Moving up a weight class is a possibility.”
Lopes has spent his entire UFC career competing at featherweight, holding a 5-3-0 record in the promotion.
If Lopes does stay at featherweight, the fighter does have a few opponents in mind for some future fights.
“I’d accept any fight,” he stated, “but if I had to ask, it would be either Arnold Allen, Yair Rodriguez or whoever loses between Movsar and Lerone.”
