Diego Lopes further hints at lightweight move in social media post involving top contenders

Diego Lopes might be fully committing to a change in weight class amid a recent social media post.

Lopes is one of the best UFC featherweight contenders in the world, but he could be on the verge of a change given he has fallen short in two titles fights at 145 pounds. The reigning champion is Alexander Volkanovski, and Lopes has dropped two decisions against “The Great.” The 36-fight veteran admitted to MMAFighting that those defeats have put him in a rough situation.

In that same interview, Lopes admitted that a switch to the 155-pound division is an intriguing option. He has since taken to his Instagram Stories to further hint at making the move, revealing he was studying the 2024 bout between Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira.

Lopes told Guilherme Cruz that he actually prefers to compete at lightweight next if the UFC brass gives him the option.

“Given where I am right now, it’s very difficult,” Lopes said. “One name that might make sense is Yair Rodriguez because of the history between us, but we haven’t heard anything about him in over a year and a half. Since I fought in Miami, I’ve already fought three times, and nobody knows what’s happened with him. If the UFC gives me the opportunity to keep fighting in both divisions, I’d love that. But if they told me, ‘You have to pick one weight class,’ then, considering where things stand right now, and with Volkanovski still being the champion, I think I’d choose 155.”

Such a change would open the door for fresh matchups. Lopes is currently the No. 2-ranked UFC featherweight, and he could get top five opposition with his first lightweight battle. Keep it locked on BJPenn.com for the latest updates on Lopes’ future.

If you were the UFC matchmaker, who would you book Diego Lopes to fight at lightweight? Sound off in the comments below.