Ilia Topuria sees Diego Lopes as candidate for title shot

The UFC featherweight division is poised for some potentially significant movement in the ultimate quarter of 2024, and Ilia Topuria is keeping his eyes on every thing.

Ahead of Topuria’s (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) scheduled title defense against Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, a pair of matchups featuring ranked contenders are set to unfold.

Former title challenger Brian Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will tackle the red-hot Diego Lopes (24-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 306 on Sept. 14, while undefeated Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) meets former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) at UFC 307 on Oct. 5.

It’s widely expected that Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will challenge the winner between Topuria and Holloway, but because the queue forms behind him, the reigning champion named Lopes as essentially the most compelling name of the bunch.

“In fact, Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes (is the more likely title eliminator),” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “I really like the attitude that Diego Lopes brings. He’s at all times respectful with me, so I just like the attitude that he has with me. If he wins, perhaps he’s the following one within the line.”

Topuria, 27, made it clear that he will not be concerned about which name the UFC brings him. He’s able to filter the division and said he could be able to tackle all comers with a victory over Holloway at UFC 308, which he has boldly predicted to end by first-round knockout in his favor.

“To be honest, I don’t know,” Topuria said. “Possibly it’s Volkanovski. Possibly it’s Diego Lopes. Possibly it’s Brian Ortega. But I don’t care. It’s going to be worse for them once they’re going to get the decision and so they’re going to note that they’re going to need to face me. It’s going to be a difficult night for them.”

For more on the cardboard, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.