Diego Lopes has stated that, if it were up to him, his UFC White House bout would be his final fight at 145 pounds. He says he is waiting on the green light from the UFC to make the move up to lightweight.
Diego Lopes has made clear he wants his UFC White House appearance on June 14 to be the last time he competes at featherweight, telling fans and the promotion that a move up to lightweight is his goal — provided the UFC gives him the go-ahead.
Lopes, 31, carries a 28-8 record into the bout and currently sits ranked seventh in the featherweight division. The Brazilian, who trains out of Lobo Gym MMA, has built a reputation as an active and well-rounded threat at 145 pounds. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, he is already on the larger end of the featherweight frame, which likely informs his desire to compete at a higher weight class. He lands 3.83 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, and his submission attempts at 1.4 per 15 minutes signal genuine finishing ability on the ground as well as the feet.
Why it matters
- A move to lightweight would place Lopes in one of the UFC's most competitive and high-profile divisions, requiring him to establish himself against a fresh set of ranked opponents.
- At six feet and with his physical attributes, he could prove to be a natural fit at 155 pounds, potentially avoiding the grind of featherweight weight cuts.
- The UFC's approval is the remaining hurdle, meaning the timeline for any divisional switch is still uncertain.
For now, Lopes is focused on UFC White House, but his comments signal that his ambitions extend well beyond the 145-pound landscape. Whether the promotion sanctions the move after his performance this weekend will shape the next chapter of his career.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
