Diego Lopes has expressed interest in moving up to the lightweight division at 155 pounds and revealed that the UFC is receptive to the idea. The potential weight class shift could see Lopes test himself against a new pool of contenders at lightweight.
Diego Lopes has publicly expressed interest in moving up to the lightweight division at 155 pounds, and the Brazilian has indicated the UFC is open to making that transition happen.
Lopes currently competes at featherweight, where the 31-year-old holds the number seven ranking with a professional record of 28 wins and 8 losses. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, the Lobo Gym MMA product carries a naturally larger frame for the 145-pound division, which may help explain his appetite for the move. He lands 3.83 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, and his submission threat adds another layer to his game, with 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes underlining his finishing instincts on the ground.
Why it matters
- A move to lightweight would place Lopes in a fresh contender pool, potentially accelerating his path toward a title picture at 155 pounds.
- His combination of striking volume and submission attempts makes him a stylistically dangerous addition to a stacked lightweight division.
- Retaining his featherweight ranking at number seven, Lopes departs as a proven top-ten competitor, giving him immediate credibility at the higher weight class if the move is confirmed.
At six-foot-one in shoes and carrying 183 centimeters of reach, Lopes fits the physical profile of a lightweight comfortably. His orthodox stance and well-rounded skillset suggest he would not need a lengthy adjustment period to compete at the higher weight. With the UFC described as receptive to the shift, the details of when and against whom Lopes would debut at 155 pounds remain to be determined.
