Morning Report: Diego Lopes needs Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 312 in Sydney

If Ilia Topuria goes to take a while off, Diego Lopes needs Alexander Volkanovski subsequent.

This previous Saturday, Topuria authored one of the crucial spectacular wins of the 12 months, knocking out Max Holloway in the principle occasion of UFC 308. It was the primary time the iron-chinned Holloway has ever been knocked out, which even impressed Lopes, who was sitting cageside for the occasion.

“It was a great knockout,” Lopes advised Ariel Helwani. “It was actually spectacular, but it surely was much more stunning simply to see Max on the ground. It had by no means occurred. I used to be actually shocked by that…

“Max did a great job retaining the gap within the [beginning] of the struggle, however I advised my brother in the course of the struggle, if Ilia received in there he may have the prospect to knock him out…

“Going into the struggle I assumed that Max was going to win. I by no means thought that Ilia would knock him out.”

Lopes served because the backup fighter for UFC 308 however his providers weren’t wanted as each Topuria and Holloway made weight for his or her featherweight title struggle. And whereas generally being a backup fighter means you’re subsequent in line for the title shot, that doesn’t look like the case for Lopes.

Following his Topuria’s massive win, the UFC introduced former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski into the cage for a faceoff, seemingly establishing a rematch between the 2. That would depart Lopes ready within the wings once more.

All hope isn’t misplaced for Lopes although. For one, Topuria appears fascinated with taking a while off as a substitute of creating a fast turnaround to defend his title once more, and for one more, UFC CEO Dana White has already instructed the promotion needs to carry him to Spain for a debut occasion. If meaning a chronic hiatus to determine, Lopes has the right plan.

“We have been by no means promised a title shot going into this,” Lopes stated. “We simply agreed to be the backup however we are going to for positive attempt to discover our method to that title shot…

“Ilia talked about on Saturday night time that he needed to take a while off. Additionally, UFC talked about they’re engaged on a date for Spain. Whereas that is all happening, it will take advantage of sense for me to simply struggle ‘Volk’ in Sydney for the interim title. ‘Volk’ has already instructed this. I’ve already agreed to it. Let’s simply do it.”

The UFC heads again to Sydney on Feb. 9 for UFC 312, and it will make sense for Volkanovski to be on the cardboard. Furthermore, the previous featherweight champion has already proven some willingness for this state of affairs, relying on how lengthy Topuria might be out. Nevertheless, Volkanovski might finally select to attend for his title shot, and if he does, then Lopes might wait as nicely — until the UFC involves him with a very good supply.

“Clearly, we really feel that the struggle with Volkanovski makes essentially the most sense for us,” Lopes stated. “It will get us on the title shot observe, but when UFC needs to present us one other supply in Mexico Metropolis, we’ve got to speak as a group with the administration and see what the choices are right here.

“I’m probably not fascinated with preventing anyone however Volkanovski. It makes essentially the most sense. If the UFC says we’ve got to attend round for a title shot, then we’ll wait. If we struggle for the interim [title] or Volkanovski, that’s a dialog we’ll need to have with administration.”

In the end, it might be fairly some time earlier than Lopes will get his crack at Topuria and the featherweight title, however when he does, he believes the struggle might be well worth the look forward to followers.

“We all know watching Ilia’s fights that he’s very ahead [moving] and likes to create stress,” Lopes stated. “I additionally prefer to create stress and we each have very heavy fingers. It will be a extremely good struggle and any certainly one of us may drop at any second due to that.”

TOP STORIES

Plea. Jon Jones reached an settlement to have charges dismissed in assault case.

FOTY. Matt Brown believes Ilia Topuria locked up Fighter of the Year for 2024.

185. Chael Sonnen revealed what Sean Strickland said to him after Khamzat Chimaev’s spectacular win at UFC 308.

Shorts. Brandon Moreno received custom fight shorts for UFC Edmonton this weekend.

Retired. Carla Esparza didn’t like the choice, however insists she’s done with fighting.

Mailbag. Answering reader questions together with how long can Ilia Topuria reign at featherweight?

VIDEO STEW

Carla Esparza.

The bogeyman of the UFC.

Brandon Moreno and Amir Albizi received a function from ESPN.

Some free fights.

And Carlos Condit highlights.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

Fighter vs. Author

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Assertion.

Paulo Costa with harsh phrases.

Class for days.

Coaching.

Surgical procedure.

Samesies.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mauricio Ruffy (10-1) vs. James Llontop (14-4); UFC 309, Nov. 16.

Sergei Pavlovich (18-3) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5); UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Some folks received’t prefer it, however I believe Volk vs. Lopes is the fitting thought. Let Topuria take a while off and get a venue in Spain for the summer time the place he fights the winner. Plus, Volk actually ought to get a win earlier than stepping again in there and getting clobbered once more.

EXIT POLL

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