![Diego Lopes expresses interest in fighting Alexander Volkanovski [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/b2f62-17271983141736-1920.jpg)
![Diego Lopes expresses interest in fighting Alexander Volkanovski [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMF/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwT/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAIZgFn//xAAgEAABBAEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEBQAGERIiFBVy/9oACAEBAAE/AHtNFWXVczYlH9ZXRljD4Ym24+42Yr2HlxREI1VF7LltFlRLWZHGCBoy8baEVxI3XYvnP//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgP/2gAIAQIBAT8AzqIM/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACA//aAAgBAwEBPwDW6KT/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Diego Lopes recently opened up about where he currently stands in the featherweight division and expressed interest in fighting former champion Alexander Volkanovski. He noted that there are two options that appeal to him most and a bout against 'Volk' is certainly one of them.
The former UFC featherweight champion hasn't fought since his title loss to Ilia Topuria this past February, which was his second consecutive knockout loss. With that in mind, it was a wise decision to take some additional time off and is believed to be next in line for a title shot.
Lopes, on the other hand, is coming off an impressive win over former title challenger Brian Ortega at Noche UFC 306, which inserted him into the title picture at 145-pounds.
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While speaking to MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz, Lopes mentioned that he would like to remain active and target Volkanovski because of what would be at stake:
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"[Volkanovski] doesn't like to wait, and neither do I, so that could be a good fight. A lot can happen, but I think the two most viable options for us right now are being the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi, or fighting Volkanovski in December. The UFC is aware that I'm available for [UFC 308], so it depends on what they want to do."
Check out Diego Lopes' comments below:
Diego Lopes believes Alexander Volkanovski would be a great stylistic matchup
In addition to expressing interest in a potential bout against Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes shared his thoughts on what he believes would transpire if they met inside the octagon.
During the aforementioned conversation, Lopes mentioned that he believes they share similar traits in terms of their ability to compete against fighters from different styles and still fair well:
"The [Volkanovski] fight would be very interesting because he's shown he can adapt well to everybody's style, especially when his opponent is taller...But I think I can also adapt well to guys that are shorter than me, so it would be a very interesting fight."
Check out the judges decision for Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes at Noche UFC 306 below:
