Diego Lopes on Facing Alexander Volkanovski

In a recent episode of The Ariel Helwani Show, uploaded on February 24, 2025, Diego Lopes sat down to discuss his highly anticipated featherweight title fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314, scheduled for April 12, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Lopes expressed confidence in his preparation, detailing his strategy to challenge Volkanovski's well-rounded skills. He acknowledged Volkanovski's experience as a former champion, emphasizing the need to exploit any openings during the fight. Around the 5:30 mark, Lopes highlighted his focus on maintaining pressure and pushing the pace to test Volkanovski's endurance over five rounds.

Questioning Ilia Topuria's Lightweight Transition

Shifting topics, Lopes shared his thoughts on Ilia Topuria's decision to move up to the lightweight division, a subject that stirred significant discussion during the interview. At approximately the 12:45 timestamp, Lopes questioned whether Topuria's move was strategically sound, suggesting that the jump might be premature given the competitive landscape at 155 pounds. He pointed out the challenges of facing larger opponents and adapting to a new weight class, especially with fighters like Charles Oliveira in contention for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317. Lopes speculated on the potential difficulties Topuria might encounter, drawing from his own experiences in adjusting fight styles across divisions.

Insights on Islam Makhachev and Lightweight Contention

Lopes also touched on the lightweight division's dynamics, particularly regarding Islam Makhachev, the former champion. Near the 18:20 point of the video, he discussed why Topuria might not be the next in line for a shot at Makhachev. Lopes suggested that Makhachev could be seeking new challenges outside the division, possibly due to the grueling weight cuts as mentioned in recent discussions on platforms like X. He noted that this opens opportunities for other contenders, though he remained skeptical about Topuria's immediate impact at lightweight given the established hierarchy. Lopes' analysis provided a grounded perspective on the division's future matchups.

Final Thoughts on Upcoming Challenges

As the conversation wrapped up, Lopes reiterated his primary focus on the upcoming bout with Volkanovski, underscoring the importance of securing the featherweight title before considering any divisional shifts himself. At the 25:10 mark, he shared his respect for Volkanovski's legacy while affirming his determination to make history at UFC 314. His comments reflected a fighter fully immersed in the present challenge, with an eye on carving his own path in the UFC. The interview offered a deep dive into Lopes' mindset ahead of one of the most significant fights of his career.