Diego Lopes shuts down Movsar Evloev’s plea for replacement rematch: ‘You had your chance’

Diego Lopes has been one of the most successful fighters of 2024.

The Mexican-Brazilian has been one of the most active fighters of the past two years, fighting thrice in 2023 and 2024. The former year saw Lopes arrive on Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) roster on short notice when he battled the undefeated rising Russian contender, Movsar Evloev. Unfortunately for him, he lost the bout via a hard-fought unanimous decision.

That loss was far from the end of the world for Lopes, who has grown exponentially since, winning five in a row compared to Evloev’s one victory. No win was bigger than Lopes’ last at UFC 306, a unanimous decision win over two-time Featherweight title challenger, Brian Ortega, last weekend (Sept. 14, 2024). With Evloev now out of an opponent for his next fight date at UFC 307 next month (Sat., Oct. 5, 2024), he’s challenged his old foe to a rematch. However, Lopes is beyond that idea after offering it several times since fight No. 1 and he let Evloev know it.

“@Diegolopesmma hey if you wanna defend your honor you have 2.5 weeks to try and get this loss off your record,” Evloev tweeted.

“You had your chance a few months ago when I called you to fight!!” Lopes quote tweeted. Now you sit back and watch as the bus leaves you waiting”

“Hey Dan Ige almost beat you couple of months ago too why you are lying saying you called me out?” Evloev said. “Next time I see you maybe I give you a proper haircut because your barber is very cheap. I’m the only reason you are here today you should be grateful for the rest of your life.”

“Brother, since my first victory in the UFC, I called you to fight,” Lopes replied. “You could make excuses, that you were above me in the rankings. Since our fight, I have 5 victories. While you have only fought once. You were lower in the rankings. Not to mention that you have not finished anyone. [four bus emojis]”

“History will tell that I beat you already and moved on, I was just trying to give you an opportunity to get a rematch but at this point you don’t have to worry about me talking about you ever again unless you become a Champion, but time will tell,” Evloev countered.

In the official UFC rankings, Lopes is on the cusp of fighting for gold seated at No. 3 after his Ortega win. Evloev, on the other hand, is three spots behind at No. 6. Let’s just say those are the perks of staying active and winning.