Diego Lopes Considering Move Up to 155 Pounds
Former UFC featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes is considering a move up to lightweight, after fighting for the featherweight belt twice and still failing capture it.
Lopes first fought for the 145-pound strap at UFC 314 in 2025 opposite Alexander Volkanovski after Ilia Topuria vacated the championship and moved up. However, he could not capture the title, as his more experienced Australian opponent consistently outworked him and executed a well-balanced game plan to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion.
In 2026, the UFC brass gave Lopes another opportunity to capture the 145-pound throne.
After he knocked out Jean Silva last year at Noche UFC and returned to winning ways, the matchmakers handed him a title rematch ahead of other deserving contenders like Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy.
Lopes ran it back with “The Great” earlier this year at UFC 325, and the rematch played much like their first outing. Volkanovski once again used a similar approach and comfortably defeated Diego Lopes by unanimous decision yet again.
Diego Lopes teases move up to 155-pounds
After fighting for the featherweight belt twice and failing to capture it, Diego Lopes has teased a move up to 155 pounds, as a third shot at the 145-pound championship seems unlikely for him anytime soon. He told Laerte Viana:
“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.”
“It’s something I have actually been thinking about for a while now… I have already been talking with the people closest to me, and yes, it’s definitely a possibility. But we also have to see what the UFC’s plans are… So first, I want to sit down, talk to the UFC, see what they have in mind for me, and see what they will tell me. Then we will also give them our opinion from there. But yes, moving up a division is definitely a possibility.”
Check out Diego Lopes’ comments below:
