Diego Lopes knows who he wants to fight next.
Lopes (26-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) recently faced Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC featherweight title in the main event of UFC 314. Although he was unsuccessful in his bid to become champion, Lopes is already looking ahead to September’s UFC Noche event, which was recently relocated from his hometown of Guadalajara to San Antonio.
“If we're talking about matching up fights, since the UFC Mexico event changed from a pay-per-view to a Fight Night in San Antonio, I'm available for that date to face Jair Rodriguez,” Lopes said (via an interpreter) in an interview with Real MMA Today. “I think it's a fight many want to see, but we'll have to see if he'll accept and what happens from there.”
Lopes and Rodríguez shared a heated exchange at the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference—a moment that would certainly help sell the fight if it were to be made. However, there has been speculation that Rodríguez could be next in line to challenge for Volkanovski’s belt, a scenario that would leave Lopes on the sidelines.
One fighter who has been mentioned as a potential opponent is Jean Silva (16-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The Brazilian also competed at UFC 314, submitting Bryce Mitchell to extend his unbeaten start in the UFC.
Lopes, however, believes Silva might be in line to face one of the featherweight division’s veteran contenders.
“I also think a good matchup would be Josh Emmett against Jean Silva”, Lopes said. “Their styles would make for an exciting fight. Yeah, I think Arnold Allen and Josh Emmett are both good opponents for (Silva). So let's see what happens, man. We'll just have to wait and see. If UFC wants me to fight in September, I'd prefer to face Yair. Everyone knows I don't turn down fights. Whatever they want, they know where to find me. I live like 10 minutes away from the UFC offices here in Vegas. I can go there, talk to them, and we'll sort it out on the spot.”
