Diego Lopes announces he’s the UFC 308 backup to Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria

Diego Lopes earns UFC 308 backup role, potential title fight next

Lopes lost to Movsar Evloev on days’ notice at UFC 288 in 2023. Despite the loss, he was signed to a multi-fight contract with the promotion, winning his first UFC fight against Gavin Tucker just months later.

The UFC matchmakers targeted Lopes as a potential signee in 2021 via DWCS. But, Lopes lost to Joanderson Brito by technical decision and then lost to Nate Richardson at Fury FC 52.

Lopes’s persistence has paid big dividends. Before the victory over Ortega, he defeated the likes of Dan Ige, Sodiq Yusuff, and Pat Sabatini inside the UFC Octagon.

Topuria captured the UFC featherweight title by finishing Volkanovski at UFC 298 earlier this year. Holloway, meanwhile, earned the featherweight title shot after getting the BMF belt against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Lopes could potentially feature on one of the biggest cards of the year, should anything happen with the UFC 308 main event. For now, he appears on the cusp of a featherweight title shot, regardless of how things transpire.